In the vast, complex landscape of Argentina, one mother’s journey ignited a fire that would forever change the fight against human trafficking. Susana Trimarco’s unyielding courage in the face of unimaginable loss has not only shaped the lives of countless victims but also sparked a powerful movement that continues to break down the walls of human trafficking networks across the world. This is the extraordinary story of Susana Trimarco—a mother whose love for her daughter turned into a lifelong mission to save others from the hell her daughter endured.
The Tragic Disappearance of María de los Ángeles Verón
April 3, 2002, was an ordinary day for Susana Trimarco, a mother in Argentina whose life would be upended by the sudden disappearance of her 23-year-old daughter, María de los Ángeles Verón. María had left their home in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, for a routine doctor’s appointment. She never returned. This day marked the beginning of Susana’s desperate quest to uncover the truth, but little did she know that this event would catapult her into the world of human trafficking—a world her daughter had been tragically thrust into.
In the following days, weeks, and months, Susana relentlessly searched for María. When the police investigation stagnated, Susana became frustrated with the lack of urgency in the case. As she dug deeper, she realized that the police force, too, was complicit in the web of corruption that allowed trafficking to thrive. She felt as though her daughter’s disappearance was being ignored, not because they couldn’t find her—but because some people didn’t want to.
The Mother’s Determination: A Search for Truth
Susana’s quest became personal. The traditional police investigation did not offer the answers she so desperately sought. Instead, Susana took matters into her own hands. Armed with the police files, she began to collect the names of known traffickers and pimps operating in her area. She found a new sense of purpose and a strange courage—a mother’s unshakable will to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
Determined to locate her daughter, Susana entered brothels, acting as a potential buyer of women and girls who had been trafficked. Her interactions with victims were harrowing. She learned that women as young as 14 were sold for as little as $800. In the darkness of these brothels, she found women who shared the same plea: escape. One of the survivors she encountered confirmed that she had seen María drugged and lying unconscious in the home of a trafficker. By the time Susana followed this lead, her daughter had been moved.
Although María was never found, Susana’s exposure of this criminal network led to a revelation: human trafficking in Argentina was far more widespread and corrupt than she had initially believed. Police officers, instead of rescuing victims, were often returning them to their abusers. This deepened Susana’s resolve to not only find her daughter but to fight back against the dark underworld of sex trafficking that claimed so many lives.
Facing the Harsh Reality: A Mother Becomes an Advocate
In the years that followed, Susana’s search transformed from one mother’s quest for justice into a national human rights campaign. The shocking discovery of Argentina’s pervasive trafficking networks pushed Susana into action. She understood that she could not simply wait for her daughter’s case to be solved—she needed to save others. Over time, Susana became an advocate for the survivors, offering shelter, legal aid, and hope to the women who had been through similar horrors.
Susana took on the role of a mother and protector to 129 women who had escaped from trafficking. She provided them with a safe place to heal and regroup, allowing them to rebuild their lives. Her own home became a sanctuary for the survivors, a place where they could escape the chains of forced prostitution. In her heart, Susana knew that each survivor she helped somehow represented a step closer to finding María, even if she never found her daughter.
The Foundation of María de los Ángeles: Turning Pain into Purpose
In 2007, Susana founded the Fundación María de los Ángeles, an NGO dedicated to providing shelter, legal assistance, and support for trafficking survivors. The foundation also worked tirelessly to promote legislative changes and raised public awareness about the deep-seated corruption and trafficking that plagued Argentina. Through her foundation, Susana became a prominent voice in the fight against human trafficking, not only in Argentina but around the world.
The foundation’s efforts paid off in 2008 when Argentina passed its first national law against human trafficking. This law criminalized human trafficking and introduced mechanisms to help victims escape their captors. The establishment of this law was a direct result of Susana’s advocacy, and it marked a turning point in the nation’s approach to human trafficking. But Susana’s work didn’t stop there.
Fighting for Justice: Overcoming Corruption and Legal Setbacks
Susana’s advocacy led to several important legal battles, particularly surrounding the police officers and criminals involved in her daughter’s case. In 2012, a trial began against 13 individuals, including corrupt police officers, who were implicated in the trafficking network. However, despite overwhelming evidence, the initial verdict was one of acquittal. This ruling incited outrage and sparked public outcry across the country, with many demanding justice for María and the other victims who had been trapped by the system.
Susana, however, didn’t accept the verdict. She continued to push for change, working alongside other activists and the media to ensure that the legal system would take the trafficking epidemic seriously. After years of legal maneuvering, the Tucumán Supreme Court reversed the acquittals, and in 2014, ten of the defendants were convicted, receiving prison sentences ranging from 10 to 22 years. Although this was a partial victory, the fight to uncover the truth about María’s fate was far from over.
Some witnesses suggested that María was murdered, though her body was never found. Others believed that she had been taken overseas. For Susana, the painful uncertainty of her daughter’s disappearance remained the greatest mystery of all. Yet, she found solace in her advocacy and the survivors whose lives she had helped transform.
Legacy of Hope: Susana’s Global Impact
In recent years, Susana Trimarco has remained an influential figure in the global fight against human trafficking. Her foundation continues to provide critical services to trafficking survivors, and its reach has expanded internationally. Susana’s advocacy has helped raise awareness of human trafficking on a global scale, drawing attention to the systemic issues that allow trafficking to persist.
Through her work, Susana has helped dismantle multiple trafficking rings and has played a key role in legislative efforts to strengthen anti-trafficking laws in Argentina and beyond. She is widely recognized for her tireless commitment to justice, not just for her daughter, but for all victims of human trafficking. As of 2024, Susana’s foundation continues to lead initiatives to combat trafficking and provide victims with the tools they need to start over.
Despite her personal struggles, Susana’s life has been defined by resilience and hope. She often says that every woman she helps brings her one step closer to the answers she has longed for regarding María’s fate. “Every woman I help somehow helps María,” Susana reflects. “They represent hope in this new life of mine.”
A Mother’s Unyielding Love: The Fight for Justice Continues
Today, Susana continues to search for the truth, her resolve as strong as ever. Her fight for justice for María—and for all the survivors of human trafficking—has become a life mission. Now in her seventies, Susana has faced incredible loss, yet her strength remains unwavering. She continues to advocate for those whose voices have been silenced by traffickers, providing them with the opportunity to escape their captors and rebuild their lives.
Her legacy is one of unyielding love, courage, and determination. Through her foundation, Susana has provided hope to countless survivors and brought the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of Argentina’s national agenda. Her work has led to widespread reforms and has made a significant impact on the country’s approach to human trafficking.
A Global Call to Action: Ending Human Trafficking Together
Susana’s journey is a testament to the power of one person’s determination to create lasting change. Her story demonstrates the incredible strength of a mother’s love and how, even in the face of tragedy, one can find the courage to fight for others. But the battle against human trafficking is far from over.
Human trafficking continues to be a global crisis, and it is up to all of us to help bring an end to this horrific injustice. We can support organizations like Fundación María de los Ángeles, raise awareness, advocate for stronger laws, and ensure that survivors receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Call to Action (CTA):
Join the fight against human trafficking today. Support organizations like Fundación María de los Ángeles and help raise awareness. Together, we can stand against human trafficking and create a world where no one is bought, sold, or enslaved. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference in the lives of those who are still trapped in this nightmare. Let’s work together to bring justice, hope, and freedom to the victims of human trafficking.
