Trafficking activity was detected at all levels. The reported domestic, intra regional and extra regional routes are described below. The one characteristic common to all is that the they move from poorer areas towards areas that are, at least relatively, more prosperous.
In terms of trafficking networks, the Central American region
can be divided roughly along a North-South axis, with Nicaragua
serving as a point of origin for trafficking flows in both directions. A
trafficking experience beginning in Nicaragua would likely move
through Honduras, possibly El Salvador, and end in Guatemala, Belize
or southern Mexico.
Following this route, women and minors are
recruited in Honduras for establishments in El Salvador, Guatemala and
Belize; El Salvador is a source country for Guatemala, Mexico and
Belize; and Guatemala is a source country for southern Mexico and
Belize. From the cases and testimony collected, trafficking from
Nicaragua north to Mexico is principally over land routes. The
northward push is eased by the free transit agreement (CA-4) between
Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala and relatively weak
border monitoring. With economic development and perceived job
opportunities increasing with each country up from Nicaragua,
recruiters can make credible sounding offers of employment.
Commercial truck drivers traveling along the Pan American
Highway contribute to the demand and provide transportation. The
ports along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts also generate demand and
attract trafficking activity. Prostitution near border areas and in larger
cities further increases the demand, caused by local patrons, male
migration north, and migrant worker populations.
The Passage North
Heightened immigration requirements in Costa Rica and
Mexico have essentially boxed in the trafficking phenomenon from
Nicaragua to Guatemala. With the promise of employment and the
"American dream" pulling greater numbers north, trafficking activity is
perhaps the most visible and concentrated along the Guatemala Mexico
border at Tecun Uman. Well deserving of its "New Tijuana" name,
Tecun Uman was referred to by many government and nongovernmental
representatives as indicative of the grave problem of
trafficking in the region.
The situation of Tecun Uman illustrates the nature of
trafficking and the major elements that contribute to a fertile
environment for trafficking activity. First, the availability of women
and children is extremely high. Many sources indicated that Tecun
Uman has served as the principal crossing point for migrants both
legal and illegal. Migrating women and minors will often find
themselves at the border with insufficient funds to secure their further
progress. In addition, the Central Americans who have crossed without
success are returned to the Guatemalan side of the border, rather than to
their countries of origin. Many desire to try again, for which money is
necessary.
The demand for sexual services is provided by male migrants,
finding themselves in similar situations of waiting at the border for a
first or subsequent attempt to cross into Mexico. In addition,
international truckers who often must wait days to cross provide a
consistent floating population. The existing demand supports a
reported sixty seven establishments offering sexual services in Tecún
Umán alone.
Innumerable criminal networks function in the area, trading in
persons, cattle, vehicles, drugs and other illicit goods. The trafficking
of women and children into prostitution is easy business. The networks
involved in sex trafficking include establishment owners, rickshaw
drivers (tricicleros), and migrant smugglers. Corruption of municipal
public officials, and police and immigration authorities is reported as
being extremely high. The corruption in the form of bribes, payment
through sexual services, and direct participation has secured total
impunity for traffickers.