WASHINGTON, WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao remains in the Tier 2 category of the United States' annual Trafficking in Persons Report, reflecting continued government efforts to combat human trafficking while highlighting persistent shortcomings in victim protection, identification procedures, and the handling of potential corruption involving law enforcement personnel.
According to the U.S. Department of State's 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, Curaçao has increased its efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. However, the island still does not fully meet the minimum standards established by the United States for eliminating trafficking.
Tier 2 classification means that a government has not yet fully complied with those standards but is making significant efforts to do so. It is distinct from the more serious Tier 2 Watch List designation.
The report identifies several improvements in Curaçao's response to human trafficking, particularly in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
During the reporting period, law enforcement authorities investigated five suspected trafficking situations, while seven defendants faced prosecution.
These proceedings resulted in two convictions involving sex trafficking and labor exploitation, with prison sentences extending to more than three years.
The government also completed a baseline assessment of human trafficking, incorporating recommendations from civil society organizations, and allocated additional funding for victim accommodation and assistance.
Despite these developments, the report identifies significant weaknesses in the protection of trafficking victims, particularly foreign nationals who may be reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
One major concern is that access to shelter and assistance remains closely connected to victims' willingness to participate in criminal proceedings.
This arrangement can leave victims in a vulnerable position, especially when they fear retaliation, deportation, or other consequences associated with reporting their exploitation.
The report also highlights the absence of adequate long-term arrangements for foreign victims, including pathways to stable accommodation and employment authorization.
Without such provisions, victims may face uncertainty about their future even after escaping exploitative circumstances.
Another problem involves the identification of human trafficking cases.
According to the report, authorities continue to encounter difficulties distinguishing human trafficking from human smuggling.
Although the two offenses can sometimes overlap, they are legally distinct. Human trafficking involves exploitation through force, fraud, coercion, or other prohibited means, while human smuggling generally concerns facilitating unlawful entry across international borders.
Confusing the two can prevent authorities from recognizing victims of exploitation and ensuring that they receive appropriate protection.
The report also addresses concerns about possible official involvement in trafficking-related activities.
An investigation into allegations involving a police officer was discontinued because authorities lacked sufficient evidence to proceed.
The closure of that investigation does not establish that the officer committed wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the report identifies the need for continued attention to allegations of official complicity and corruption.
The government has established a specialized task force and is pursuing an action plan intended to strengthen the national response to trafficking.
However, the U.S. assessment emphasizes that further improvements are needed throughout the system, particularly in victim identification, assistance, and long-term protection.
The findings underscore the importance of an approach that does not depend exclusively on arrests and convictions but also addresses the needs of people who have experienced exploitation.
For Curaçao, remaining in Tier 2 demonstrates that international observers recognize increased government efforts while continuing to identify areas requiring improvement.
The central challenge will be translating investigations, policy initiatives, and additional resources into consistent protection for victims, regardless of their nationality or willingness to testify in criminal cases.