The landmark partnership marks a pivotal step in Aerial Recovery’s mission to end exploitation. This MOU enhances the organization's fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation with a sharp focus on rescuing and supporting vulnerable children. It provides Aerial Recovery with access to government intelligence, logistical support, and law enforcement collaboration, strengthening its ability to identify trafficking operations, free victims, and pursue justice against perpetrators. The agreement also enables the organization to deliver prevention programs, training, operational support, and comprehensive aftercare for survivors, forging a brighter future for those they serve. Britnie Turner, Co-founder and CEO of Aerial Recovery, said in the press release:
“Our mission is to save lives and stop evil. This partnership strengthens our boots-on-the-ground capabilities in Honduras, enabling us to save more lives and help survivors reclaim their futures.”
Aerial Recovery is known for its disaster response and anti-human trafficking initiatives. It has been deployed to over 25 countries and its staff consists of U.S. Special Operations veterans, medical professionals, and crisis response experts. In the fight against human trafficking, they have made significant strides in high-risk regions such as Ukraine, Haiti, and multiple countries in Latin America.
The MOU with Honduras adds to Aerial Recovery’s expanding network of international partnerships as the organization already has similar agreements in Argentina and Mexico, alongside active programs in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, the United States of America, Spain, and Costa Rica. This growing presence underscores Aerial Recovery’s commitment to tackling human trafficking on a large global scale. Their work in Honduras builds on its extensive experience in the region, including missions in the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti, and along Central American migration routes. By combining strategic partnerships with on-the-ground action, Aerial Recovery is fostering long-term capability to disrupt human trafficking operations and protect those who are vulnerable. Aerial Recovery CEO Britnie Turner has stated:
“Real, lasting change only happens through trusted partnerships. Together with the Honduran government, we will create a more secure future for vulnerable populations and bring justice to those who exploit them.”
The human trafficking crisis in Honduras is a severe and multifaceted issue that makes the country one of the most affected in the Western Hemisphere. Honduras serves as a major source, transit, and destination point for trafficking victims, with sexual exploitation and forced labor being the predominant forms of exploitation. The crisis is deeply rooted in institutional weakness and pervasive violence, which creates an environment where trafficking thrives—specifically, the influence of powerful gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18 fuels the crisis. These gangs will often lure victims into trafficking by using threats and violence to maintain their control. Gang victims are often teenage girls who are forced into prostitution with threats of machete violence against their families.
According to the U.S. State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, Honduras is classified as a Tier 2 Watch List country. This classification indicates the Honduran government does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking under the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Over the past 3 years, authorities in Honduras have responded to over 300 human trafficking incidents; however, this only represents a fraction of the issue due to their limited resources and challenges.
Children, in particular, are extremely vulnerable, and they account for a large portion of trafficking victims. Many children are forced into sexual exploitation within Honduras and across borders, while others are subjected to forced labor in industries such as domestic services and street vending. Women and young girls are the primary targets for sexual exploitation, often being lured with false promises of employment or better living conditions. Under the Biden administration, migrants who passed through Honduras to get to the U.S. were at high risk, as traffickers would take advantage of their situation.
As Aerial Recovery continues to expand its reach, this collaboration with Honduras stands as a testament to the power of united efforts in the fight against human trafficking—a mission driven by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Organizations like Aerial Recovery are working alongside Honduran authorities, striving to disrupt human trafficking networks and to offer hope to survivors of horrific crimes of human trafficking. However, the road ahead requires not only immediate action but also long-term strategies to address the root causes driving this horrendous, pervasive form of modern slavery.
