WILLEMSTAD – The Council of Ministers of Curaçao has received the findings of the island's first study examining human smuggling and human trafficking, providing an initial assessment of the extent of these illegal activities and how they occur on the island.
The findings were presented by PATH, a specialized unit within the Ministry of Justice responsible for combating human smuggling and trafficking. The presentation comes ahead of European Anti-Trafficking Day, observed annually on October 18.
According to the government, the study represents an important step toward gaining a clearer understanding of the situation in Curaçao. It examines the scale and nature of human smuggling and trafficking, identifies associated risks, and assesses how organizations currently respond to these crimes.
The report is intended to establish a baseline against which future progress can be measured. It will also help authorities identify shortcomings in existing procedures and determine which measures need to be strengthened.
With the findings, the government aims to develop more targeted strategies to combat human smuggling and trafficking while improving the identification, protection, and assistance of victims.
The research was conducted with the support of several local and international organizations involved in law enforcement, immigration, healthcare, and social assistance.
Participating organizations included the Curaçao Police Force, the Organized Crime Division (DGC), the Immigration Service, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Coast Guard, and Judicial Care.
International and community partners also contributed, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Stichting Maatschappelijke Zorg en Herstel, Salu pa Tur, Cura+ Sexual Health Foundation, and members of Curaçao's Consular Corps.
The involvement of these organizations reflects the different areas affected by human trafficking and smuggling, ranging from border security and criminal investigations to healthcare and victim assistance.
Human smuggling generally involves facilitating illegal entry into a country, while human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals, including through coercion, deception, or abuse of vulnerability. Although the two crimes can overlap, they require different approaches to prevention, investigation, and victim protection.
The government considers the study an important foundation for strengthening cooperation among the organizations involved and developing a more coordinated response.
Although the announcement confirms that the research provides insight into the scale of the problem, the government has not yet publicly disclosed specific figures, the number of identified victims, or detailed findings from the report.
The study is expected to serve as a reference point for future policy development and for measuring the effectiveness of Curaçao's efforts to combat human smuggling and trafficking.