By May 2026, a record 20 million tourists had visited Mexico. However, the surge in tourism has heightened the risk of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, with women and children being the most vulnerable.
Mixi Cruz was just 13 when her mother died. After living on the streets, she turned to her stepsister for help, only to be forced into domestic chores and sexual exploitation. “The hardest part was accepting that none of that happened because I was naive or stupid,” the now 33-year-old told DW. “It happened because there are bad people who sell others and bad people who buy them.”
Human trafficking has become one of the most lucrative economies in organized crime in Mexico. According to the 2025 Global Organized Crime Index, criminal syndicates like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel are increasingly involved. Reported incidents surged by 45% in just one year.
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime called for tighter cross-border cooperation. Experts say only a fraction of actual cases are reported, let alone resolved.
Cruz was exploited by her own family, forced to care for five children and iron laundry until late at night. She still bears scars from burns. At 14, she was pressured into sex work. “Many don’t realize they are experiencing sexual violence,” she said.
The Citizens’ Council for Security and Justice estimates that 70% of trafficking survivors in Mexico are female, over half minors. The organization has recorded about 26,000 cases since 2007, but the real number is likely 98% higher.
Ana Torres and three volunteers work in a red-light district on the outskirts of Mexico City. She leads a street project for El Pozo de Vida, combating trafficking. Before the World Cup, many sex workers hoped for higher earnings, but demand remained flat. However, the number of foreign tourists increased, posing additional danger due to language barriers.
Cruz escaped at 16 and now participates in a survivors’ network raising awareness. Her stepsister was sentenced to four years in prison, her husband to five, but not for trafficking—only for other serious offenses.
Source: www.dw.com