Former President Barack Obama has come under criticism after a series of videos showing men and women being sold in a renewed slave trade have gone viral in recent weeks.

Some critics have begun questioning how much the Obama administration contributed to the problem with its 2011 intervention in Libya. Obama has acknowledged the issue before, calling it the "worst mistake" of his presidency.

But as videos showing humans being sold into slavery shocks people around the world, the scrutiny has been renewed.

"The responsibility is on Barack Obama's administration," University of Texas professor, Alan J. Kuperman, said in an interview with Newsweek.

16 PHOTOS Anti-slavery protests break out See Gallery Anti-slavery protests break out A anti-Obama banner is seen during a demonstration against slavery in Libya on November 24, 2017, outside the Libyan embassy in the French capital Paris. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Demonstrators hold signs during a demonstration against slavery in Libya on November 24, 2017, outside the Libyan embassy in the French capital Paris. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Franco-African people of Paris came this day en mass to protest against the scandal of slavery in Libya revealed by cnn in front of the Libyan embassy in Paris, France, on 24 November 2017. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Franco-African people of Paris came this day en mass to protest against the scandal of slavery in Libya revealed by cnn in front of the Libyan embassy in Paris, France, on 24 November 2017. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Franco-African people of Paris came this day en mass to protest against the scandal of slavery in Libya revealed by cnn in front of the Libyan embassy in Paris, France, on 24 November 2017. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) A protester holds a sign-board during an anti-slavery demonstration outside the Embassy of Libya in London, United Kingdom on November 26, 2017 to protest the human rights violations in Libya. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Protestors attend a demonstration against slavery in Libya, at Sergels torg in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / TT NEWS AGENCY / Claudio BRESCIANI / Sweden OUT (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO BRESCIANI/AFP/Getty Images) Protestors attend a demonstration against slavery in Libya, at Sergels torg in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / TT News Agency / Claudio BRESCIANI / Sweden OUT (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO BRESCIANI/AFP/Getty Images) The Franco-African people of Paris came this day en mass to protest against the scandal of slavery in Libya revealed by cnn in front of the Libyan embassy in Paris, France, on 24 November 2017. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) An African migrant living in Greece raises his chained hands during a protest against recent reports of migrant slavery in Libya, in Athens, Greece, December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas A woman displays her hand with the message "Stop Slavery" as she attends a protest against slavery in Libya outside the Lybian Embassy in Paris, France, November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer A young man shows a placard reading 'No to the sale of human beings'. Due to a report of CNN on slave trade of migrants in Libya, a protest took place in Toulouse, France, on 26 November 2017 against slavery and slave trade. Demonstrators want to raise awareness about slave trade, migration and refugees reception in EU. They also denounced the Macron's policies about migrants/refugees in France. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Demonstrators march outside the parliament building during a protest against recent reports of migrant slavery in Libya, in Athens, Greece, December 2, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas An anti slavery demonstration took place outside the Libyan Embassy in Knightsbridge, London on November 26, 2017. People gathered outside the embassy of Libya, holding placards and flags, to protest against the migrations crisis. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images) African migrants protest in front of the Libyan embassy against the agreements between Italy and Libya and against any form of slavery on November 24, 2017 in Rome, Italy (Photo by Andrea Ronchini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Franco-African people of Paris came this day en mass to protest against the scandal of slavery in Libya revealed by cnn in front of the Libyan embassy in Paris, France, on 24 November 2017. (Photo by Julien Mattia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE

The United States launched an operation in Libya with NATO in 2011 in an attempt to save civilians who were targeted to be massacred by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Kuperman claims overthrowing Gadhafi led to many of the failed nation's issues, including the slave trade.

An investigation from CNN showed migrants being sold for as little as $400 at auction. Thousands of immigrants have fled Libya for Europe in an attempt to escape violence and instability.

Since 2014, 22,500 migrants have died or disappeared according to the International Organization for Migration.

President Trump has been accused of waffling on his position on the U.S. intervention in Libya, but he did share one prophetic thought on the matter in a tweet in 2011.

"As bad as Qaddafi was---what comes next in Libya will be worse---just watch," he said at the time.

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