Dominican foreign minister warns organized crime is exploiting trafficking victims in new ways

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez warned this Thursday that human trafficking is increasingly forcing victims to participate in organized criminal activities, including financial fraud, cybercrime, and money laundering, under threats and coercion.

Speaking during the country’s commemoration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026, Álvarez said the evolving nature of trafficking presents new challenges for justice, security, and migration authorities, while underscoring the need to identify victims quickly and avoid prosecuting those compelled to commit crimes.

The minister reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to combating trafficking through prevention, prosecution, victim protection, and international cooperation. He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in leading the Inter-Institutional Commission against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and its participation in regional initiatives within the Organization of American States.

Vice Minister for Consular and Migration Affairs Opinio Díaz said the country has expanded efforts to address cyber-enabled trafficking through initiatives such as a Cybercrime Roundtable, a specialized Cybercrime Unit, and a joint project with the International Organization for Migration to strengthen technology-based prevention and investigations.