The United States added, Thursday, June 20, Saudi Arabia and Cuba to their black list of countries that do not act enough to combat trafficking of human beings, which could lead to sanctions. Both countries are criticized for failing to take the necessary measures to reverse the attacks on freedom and human dignity.

In an annual report, the US State Department criticized its main ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, for widespread violations of its foreign workforce. Riyadh “continued to fine, imprison or deport foreign workers for prostitution or illegal immigration, while some of them were probably unidentified victims of human trafficking,” the report said.

This blacklist also includes North Korea, Russia, Iran, Venezuela and China, all these countries added in 2017. This blacklisting means that the United States can limit aid or withdraw support from the target country in organizations such as the International Monetary Fund. This year, Laos and Gabon have been excluded from this list.

Cuba and Saudi “did nothing to limit forced labor”

Like Saudi Arabia, Cuba was relegated to the lowest level on the list, established each year. The neighbor of the United States “did nothing to limit forced labor in medical missions abroad, while, according to persistent allegations, Cuban officials threatened and forced some participants to remain in the program.”

The US Secretary of State presented the 2019 version of the report alongside Ivanka Trump, a White House advisor and president’s daughter. “The message is very clear: if you do not oppose the traffic, America will oppose you,” said Mike Pompeo. Last year, the United States took action against 22 countries on the basis of this classification concerning trafficking of human beings.

In his presentation, the Pompeo did not mention Saudi Arabia, while President Trump strongly strengthens ties with the Saudi Kingdom. He was, however, worried about the situation in western China, where the Uighurs are locked in labor camps.

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