Operation Libertera 3: Interpol arrests 3,700 suspected human traffickers
In an unprecedented security move reflecting the scale of the challenges facing global security, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) announced the results of Operation Libertera III, which dealt a significant blow to transnational organized crime networks. This extensive operation resulted in the arrest of more than 3,700 people, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, a phenomenon that has become a major concern for the international community.
Details of Operation "Libertera 3" and the record-breaking figures
The Lyon-based organization revealed that the operation took place between November 10 and 21, 2025, and involved exceptional cooperation among 119 countries. More than 14,000 law enforcement personnel worldwide participated in this security campaign, resulting in the protection and rescue of over 4,400 potential victims.
According to initial reports from participating countries, 3,744 suspects were arrested, with over 1,800 of them directly linked to crimes related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Efforts did not stop at arrests; more than 720 new investigations were launched, many of which are still ongoing to pursue the remaining members of these sprawling networks.
The international context and the importance of security cooperation
This operation comes at a time when organized crime is becoming increasingly complex, with gangs exploiting modern technology and border loopholes to carry out their crimes. This type of joint operation demonstrates the vital role INTERPOL plays in coordinating intelligence and field efforts between countries. Combating human trafficking is no longer a local matter; it has become a global national security issue requiring the immediate exchange of information and the harmonization of security strategies.
In this context, David Conter, Director of the Organized and Emerging Crime Division at Interpol, stated: "These criminal groups are entrenched and able to adapt quickly, so law enforcement agencies must do the same," noting the need for flexibility in the security response.
Dangerous shifts in crime dynamics
The operation revealed alarming shifts in human trafficking patterns, with the organization's statement noting an "evolution in trafficking dynamics" that contradicts established historical patterns. Victims from South America and Asia were found being exploited within Africa, a reversal of the traditional route that saw African migrants being transported abroad.
Besides sexual exploitation, which remains strongly present, the operation recorded a significant increase in forced labor crimes, domestic slavery, and the heinous crime of organ harvesting and trafficking.
Tragic stories from the victims' lives
Investigations have uncovered harrowing human stories highlighting the brutality of these networks. In Belize, children were found working in a glass factory under appalling conditions, and in El Salvador, a young girl was rescued after being sold to a man in his seventies. In Mozambique, the kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy for organ trafficking was documented.
In Latin America, specifically in Costa Rica, authorities arrested a man nicknamed "El Gordo," accused of forcing underage girls at a technical school to film pornographic videos. Brazil also succeeded in dismantling a complex trafficking network linking Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mexico, and the United States, underscoring the transnational nature of these crimes.
Expected impact of the operation
Operation Libertera 3 sends a strong deterrent message to criminal organizations, contributing to the dismantling of smugglers' financial and logistical infrastructure. Intelligence gathered during this period is expected to lead to further arrests in the coming months, as well as strengthened victim protection programs and the development of international legislation to close loopholes exploited by criminals.
