Human Trafficking Victims in the Canaries: New Evidence and Vatican Response. New details about human trafficking among migrants have emerged in the Canary Islands. Pope Francis has publicly expressed support for the victims, while local centers report a surge in requests for assistance. Authorities and the church are looking for solutions.
The issue of human trafficking has once again come to the fore in the Canary Islands after several migrant women spoke out about the violence and exploitation they experienced. Their stories were shared during a meeting with Pope Francis, who has made the fight against this crime one of the priorities of his pontificate. The focus was on the fate of women from Latin America who were deceived and drawn into sexual exploitation on Spanish territory.
One of the victims, Lola, spent five years in complete isolation, unable to go outside. According to her, the debt to the organizers of the criminal scheme kept growing, and any attempts to resist ended in violence. Only a chance leak of information about an upcoming police operation allowed her and other victims to break free. After her release, Lola faced a new problem — social isolation and difficulty finding work, especially within small island communities.
During Pope Francis's visit to the port of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria, other testimonies were also heard. One woman said that her child was taken away from her and she was forced into prostitution. The pontiff emphasized that the lives and dignity of the victims do not belong to their tormentors, and called for support for the affected. According to the Lugo Center, which provides assistance to trafficking victims, last year 566 people received help, 90% of whom were migrants. Most of those seeking help are women, but there are also men.
The problem remains acute: according to official statistics, in 2025, the police and the Civil Guard freed 1,869 people who had become victims of sexual or labor exploitation. However, experts note that the real number of victims is much higher, since many remain outside the attention of law enforcement agencies. The Lugo Center emphasizes that gaining victims’ trust is not easy: social workers regularly go out into the streets to establish contact and offer help.
Another victim, Eli, ended up in the Canary Islands after being sold into sexual slavery by her own relatives. Her documents were taken away, and it took years of rehabilitation to cope with the psychological trauma. According to her, many women do not dare to turn to the police out of fear and shame. She believes that an important step would be to give victims the opportunity to speak on behalf of those who cannot yet speak up openly.
The question of the church’s role in combating human trafficking remains a matter of discussion. Pope Francis initiated the creation of the Santa Marta Group—an international alliance between police and church structures to jointly combat this type of crime. The new pontiff, Leon XIV, has not yet made separate statements on the subject, but as representatives of the Pablo VI Foundation point out, he has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting human dignity.
According to an analysis by russpain.com, the issue of human trafficking in the Canary Islands is closely linked to migration flows and limited opportunities for social integration. In small communities, the stigmatization of victims is especially apparent: former victims face discrimination even when trying to find employment. In this context, not only support from the church and authorities is important, but also public attention to the real stories of those affected. The issues of protecting migrants' rights and combating exploitation are also discussed in other regions of Spain, as evidenced by reports on the work of the police and courts, for example, in the examination of the impact of police reports on high-profile cases.
For reference: human trafficking in Spain is classified as a serious crime, and victims have the right to protection and rehabilitation. In recent years, authorities have strengthened control over migration routes and expanded support programs for victims; however, the problem remains relevant, especially in regions with a high proportion of migrants.
