Overview

• Placement on the Level 2 Watchlist puts both countries one step from the lowest tier, signaling possible U.S. penalties if efforts do not improve.
• For Brazil, the report cites fewer investigations and prosecutions than in prior years and fewer initial trafficking convictions.
• The report says Brazil completed no prosecutions under its 2016 anti‑trafficking statute despite estimates of tens of thousands of victims.
• For South Africa, officials launched a subprovincial task force and secured more convictions, yet identified fewer victims and opened fewer investigations and prosecutions.
• State Department testimony noted a 71% staffing cut in the office that produces the report, no spokespersons were made available for questions this year, and the downgrade comes as the Trump administration has levied tariffs, visa limits and financial sanctions against Brazil and taken contentious actions toward South Africa.