WASHINGTON. – The United States removed Dominican Republic from its black list of countries it accuses of trafficking with people; included Venezuela last year, and maintains Cuba in that group for the 9th straight year, according to a State Department report disclosed Monday.

"Venezuela is a country of origin, transit and destination of men, women and children who are trafficked to be exploited sexually or for work, the report said.

“The Dominican government is making "important" efforts to fight the evil, although it has yet to demonstrate major advances, reason why it was kept on the list of countries under special observation,” says the report.

A country included in the black list can face Washington sanctions such as cuts in non-humanitarian aid and could face U.S. opposition in IMF and World Bank loans for certain programs.

Also under observation are Panama (which was already under that classification last year), Costa Rica and Ecuador.