Ambassador Susan Coppedge led a panel of United State Government (USG) experts to discuss the issue of human trafficking. The experts also shared what are some of the approaches taken by the administration to combat human trafficking and raise awareness. One of the most important initiatives spearheaded by the USG comes in the form of international diplomacy and international programs. Through this initiative, the USG funds a myriad of anti-human trafficking programs all around the world. Private and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) receive funds from the United States to care for victims of human trafficking, to conduct research, and to develop awareness programs. The local government systems are often the recipient of such funds from the USG, and here is where the first question came to mind.
The panelists explained that funds and other support are provided to governments that have the political will to combat human trafficking but do not have the means. I will argue that the United States has little control of how the money is spent after disbursement. The USG, as explained by the panelists, relies
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In the northern triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, only around 10 percent of arrested criminals are actually convicted. This lack of effectiveness within the justice system is not due to inappropriate training, it is due to corruption, government officials with criminal interests, and fear of violent reprisals. While the panelists do not mention initiatives in Latin America, I find it necessary to compare it to this region because a great portion of human trafficking can be traced to the northern triangle countries. Especially considering the amount of unaccompanied minors that have reached the southern border of the United States in recent years, the majority coming from San Pedro Sula,