On March 4, 2026, Aerial Recovery was contacted by the Peru National Police Anti–Human Trafficking Unit regarding an urgent situation involving two young women who had escaped their traffickers along with their two small children, ages 2–4.
The women had fled their captors and presented themselves at a police station seeking help and protection. The PNP requested Aerial Recovery’s assistance in providing immediate safeguarding support and initiating aftercare for the survivors and their children. Within hours, the Aerial team activated its response protocols and began working alongside authorities to ensure the victims were safe, stabilized, and supported.
A Survivor’s Story
During interviews with investigators, one of the victims described the harrowing path that led to her exploitation. In 2024, she was lured from her home country to a city in Peru by someone she believed to be a friend. She had been promised legitimate work as a waitress in a tourist restaurant.
Instead, upon arrival she was taken to a hostel where she was informed she now belonged to a criminal group known as the Anti-Train, a violent organization operating in competition with Tren de Aragua. She was told she owed the group a $5,000 “debt” and was immediately forced into sexual exploitation in brothels controlled by the organization.
In addition to the supposed debt, she was required to pay a weekly “plaza fee” of nearly $300 simply for the “right” to work in the area assigned to her. These fees are commonly imposed by criminal organizations on trafficking victims and have nothing to do with paying off their fabricated debt. Failure to pay these fees can result in severe beatings, and in some cases, death.
Violence, Escape, and Survival
After months of exploitation, the victim became pregnant. When she gave birth, her trafficker allowed her a brief period away from work. She attempted to escape with her newborn child. Soon afterward, she was captured by her trafficker and taken to a remote location where she believes he intended to execute her.
During the drive, their vehicle was ambushed by members of Tren de Aragua. A shootout followed, and the trafficker was killed. She survived but was left behind as the attackers fled. Months later, members of the group contacted her and threatened to kill her if she did not begin working for them. She refused and went into hiding with a friend.
Soon afterward, both were captured. Her friend was brutally interrogated and beaten before being executed. She was shot multiple times and left for dead. Miraculously, she survived.
Forced Back Into Exploitation
While recovering from her injuries, she managed to flee to another city in Peru. However, the criminal group eventually located her again. Facing renewed death threats, she was forced to comply and return to exploitation. She was assigned to a specific area where she was required to pay a weekly “plaza fee” of approximately $250.
It was during this time that she met another young woman facing the same circumstances. Both women had small children. Together, they began secretly planning their escape.
The Escape
At the end of a shift, the two women fled with their children and ran to a nearby police station seeking protection. Their courage in that moment saved their lives - and the lives of their children.
Aerial Recovery’s Response
Following the request from the Peru National Police, Aerial Recovery immediately provided emergency assistance to the survivors and their children. Our team is currently working with authorities and partner organizations to ensure:
• Immediate safeguarding and stabilization
• Trauma-informed care and support
• Safe shelter and protection
• Ongoing aftercare for the mothers and children
• Eventual safe repatriation to their country of residence
How You Can Help
Rescuing survivors is only the beginning. The long journey of recovery requires safe housing, trauma care, legal support, and resources to help survivors rebuild their lives. We are asking our community of supporters to stand with these two brave mothers and their children as they begin that journey.
Your support helps provide:
• Emergency shelter
• Food and medical care
• Trauma counseling
• Child support services
• Safe repatriation and reintegration
Every contribution helps ensure these survivors - and their children - have the opportunity for a life free from violence and exploitation.
Together, we can help turn survival into recovery.
