Guyana has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, with the government praised for “serious and sustained efforts” to combat human trafficking. The report highlights increased victim identification, expanded funding, and stronger legal tools. However, the 2025 report also points to persistent gaps in oversight, labour protections, and enforcement.
According to the report, Guyana “fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.” Authorities identified 416 victims in the past year, including 302 women and eight girls exploited in sex trafficking, and 104 men and two boys in labour or unspecified trafficking. Victims came from nine countries, including Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit received GYD 76.6 million (US $356,148) to coordinate victim care. Services included shelter, food, counselling, legal aid, and job support. “The government provided victim assistance… including small business support for foreign victims,” the report noted.
Despite these gains, the report flagged several areas of concern.
“The government did not vet labour agreements with the Chinese government and had not yet commenced vetting labour agreements with the Cuban regime for trafficking vulnerabilities.” It also failed to “adequately screen Chinese national and Cuban regime-affiliated workers for trafficking indicators.”
https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report-72/
Prosecution efforts showed mixed results. One trafficker was convicted under the 2023 anti-trafficking law and sentenced to four years in prison. However, enforcement of restitution remains weak. “The government did not adequately enforce the payment of restitutions to victims,” the report stated.
Regarding prevention, the government increased funding to GYD 169.5 million (US $788,372) and continued to implement its National Action Plan. The interagency Task Force met monthly but excluded NGOs from meetings. “Observers reported the Task Force was effective… but NGOs noted the Task Force did not invite them or seek their input.”
The report also criticized the lack of legal protections for workers in Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil sector. “The government did not have any laws prohibiting employers, recruiters, or labour agents from charging workers recruitment fees… or withholding wages.”
While Guyana’s Tier 1 status reflects progress, the report makes clear that deeper reforms are needed. Among its recommendations are increasing convictions, improving labour inspections, enforcing restitution, and including NGOs in anti-trafficking efforts.