Human Trafficking in Mexico Reached 447 Victims During the First Half of 2026
During the first half of 2026, human trafficking in Mexico reached 447 victims, according to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, with Quintana Roo recording the highest number of cases, followed by the State of Mexico and Mexico City.
The report indicates that the largest proportion of victims were women. From January to July 2026, 279 cases involving women were documented nationwide.
Of that total, 139 women were victims in Quintana Roo, 23 in the State of Mexico, 19 in Baja California, 18 in Mexico City, and 8 in Aguascalientes.
This means that Quintana Roo accounts for approximately 49.8% of all reported female victims in the country.
Regarding minors, the Network for Children’s Rights in Mexico (REDIM) reported a reduction in human trafficking cases from 194 during the first half of 2025 to 123 during the same period in 2026, representing a 36.6% decrease.
Between January and June 2026, an average of five child trafficking victims per week was recorded.
Within this group, 30 cases involved trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, equivalent to one case per week.
The analysis by state reveals that Quintana Roo, Baja California, and the State of Mexico accounted for nearly three out of every five child trafficking cases in the country.
Among the municipalities with the highest incidence are Benito Juárez and Tulum in Quintana Roo, as well as Tijuana in Baja California.
For cases involving sexual exploitation, the states with the highest number of reports were Baja California, Mexico City, and the State of Mexico.
The municipalities with the highest number of victims under this category were Tijuana (Baja California), Zumpango (State of Mexico), and Torreón (Coahuila).
The Citizen Council for Security and Justice of Mexico City emphasized that human trafficking operates through deception, manipulation, and the exploitation of vulnerable situations, making it difficult for victims to recognize the recruitment or exploitation process.
Within the framework of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to providing specialized, free, and confidential assistance, available 24 hours a day, to report any suspicious situation.
The Council highlighted that the prevention and early detection of this crime require training efforts. It has provided awareness programs to more than 103,000 people and maintains continuous outreach activities. Citizen participation was key to the rescue of 382 victims between 2024 and 2026.
In addition, the Council warned that trafficking networks continuously modify their recruitment and control methods, using not only in-person spaces but also social media, messaging applications, digital platforms, and video games to lure potential victims through fake job offers, romantic relationships, gifts, financial assistance, or promises of economic opportunities.
The Citizen Council reminded the public that anyone can request guidance or report situations related to human trafficking free of charge, confidentially, and anonymously through the National Human Trafficking Hotline and Chat at 800 5533 000, which has handled more than 26,000 cases since its creation.
Finally, the Council announced that in the coming days it will present its 6th Human Trafficking Report, featuring an updated analysis of new recruitment and exploitation methods, as well as an overview of prevention and assistance efforts carried out in coordination with public institutions, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
Source: infobae
