Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Saltillo (Agenzia Fides) - "Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that affects mainly women and children", said Mgr. Raúl Vera López, Bishop of Saltillo (Coahuila, Mexico), who denounced that the number of people who are victims of human trafficking and exploitation is on the rise while authorities do little about it.
"Migrants are the sector that suffers the most in Coahuila, and they are part of the population who are completely unprotected", said Mgr. Raúl Vera López. The bishop noted that the problem of trafficking derives from the forced migration of people (especially the citizens of Central American States) who seek a better future in the United States, challenging the risks arising from criminal gangs who take advantage of their condition. "Those who are passing are the first victims of organized crime - reiterated the Bishop - there are those who extort money, those who force them to commit illegal activities, and some even prevent them from crossing the border".
Mgr. Vera, wants to encourage migrants to denounce these facts, because even now, for fear of reprisals there are very few who do so. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 20/08/2014)
