Mexico City Reinforces Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy for 2026 World Cup
Mexico City, March 5, 2026 – The Interinstitutional Commission against Human Trafficking held its first ordinary session of 2026 yesterday, March 4, reaffirming its commitment to strengthen public policies to combat and eradicate this crime, considered a serious violation of human rights. The session focused on reinforcing inter-agency coordination, particularly in light of major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During the session, strategic issues were addressed to enhance coordination among various agencies and organizations. The goal is to tackle the risks associated with human trafficking in the current context of the capital, especially with the anticipated increase in mobility and tourism during the World Cup.
Key Initiatives and Progress Presented
The meeting included the presentation of the strategy “Coordination of Attention to Risk Points towards the 2026 World Cup.” This initiative aims to anticipate vulnerability scenarios and strengthen preventive actions in response to the expected surge in visitors.
Also highlighted were the advancements of the “Program to Protect and Assist Direct and Indirect Victims, Offended Persons, and Witnesses, and to Prevent and Eradicate Human Trafficking Crimes in Mexico City.” This public policy instrument coordinates the actions of various dependencies to ensure comprehensive care, protection, and access to justice for victims.
The Commission’s Annual Report was also presented, detailing actions, progress, and results in prevention, detection, victim care, and institutional coordination efforts throughout the past year.
Commitment from Government Officials
Representing the Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, the Undersecretary of Government, Fadlala Akabani Hneide, who serves as the alternate president of the Commission, welcomed the members and special guests. Akabani emphasized the Mexico City government’s commitment to strengthening interinstitutional collaboration in the fight against human trafficking in all its forms, acknowledging the efforts made by each institution within their respective competencies to prevent, detect, and address this crime.
Aarón Garduño Jiménez, Director General of the Executive Instance of the Comprehensive Human Rights System (IESIDH), noted that this Commission has become one of the most active in the country in combating human trafficking. He stressed the importance of leveraging the context of the 2026 World Cup to strengthen prevention, communication, and institutional coordination strategies. Garduño also called for boosting the annual awareness campaign promoted by the Commission in the framework of July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and aligning the dissemination materials of the dependencies with established guidelines to amplify the strategy’s impact.
Nashieli Ramírez Hernández, head of the General Comptroller’s Office of Mexico City, underscored the relevance of the Commission’s work in addressing trafficking not only as a crime but as a severe violation of human rights. She highlighted the need to consolidate preventive strategies in the face of challenges posed by the 2026 World Cup, particularly to protect individuals from potential risks associated with this criminal phenomenon.
Inter-institutional Collaboration and Future Plans
A significant agreement reached during the session was the unanimous approval of the General Coordination for Human Mobility (CGAMH) as a permanent guest of the Commission. Temístocles Villanueva Ramos, head of the CGAMH, stated that its incorporation will strengthen prevention, interinstitutional coordination, and the design of public policies with a human rights approach. He emphasized that this collaboration will help prevent re-victimization and ensure more comprehensive and effective care for people in human mobility contexts, a population often facing greater vulnerability.
The session saw the participation of representatives from various dependencies of the Mexico City government, as well as authorities from the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City, the local Judiciary, the International Organization for Migration, and the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, in addition to representatives from various boroughs.
With this session, the Interinstitutional Commission against Human Trafficking reaffirmed its commitment to consolidate public policies with a human rights approach and advance in the prevention, combat, and eradication of human trafficking in the country’s capital.
Source: https://oem.com.mx/la-prensa/metropoli/refuerzan-estrategia-contra-la-trata-de-personas-rumbo-al-mundial-2026-en-la-cdmx-28773439
