Globally, Colombia is regarded as a major source and transit country for trafficking in persons in the Western Hemisphere. Colombia has several conditions as a country of origin for trafficking in persons namely due to the on-going internal armed conflict, which has exacerbated lawlessness, illicit trade, and the strong presence of international criminal gangs. Moreover, Colombia’s economy has suffered severely with high unemployment rates, lack of opportunities, and increasing poverty levels with an estimated 60-65 percent of Colombians to be living below the poverty line.During this period, thousands of communities have been displaced and become extremely vulnerable to trafficking. Such cultural factors may force persons to take high risks, often on a temporary basis, to achieve their goals; which, in return, increases their vulnerability to trafficking. In addition, social and familiar influences may negatively impact upon the individual again increasing their vulnerability to trafficking. These factors combined have fueled the trafficking in persons phenomenon in Colombia; making Colombia the third country most heavily affected by the trafficking in persons phenomenon in Latin American after Brazil and the Dominican Republic.