Mexico Tightens Rules to Protect Minors from Sex Tourism

Mexico City, Mexico — The Chamber of Deputies has approved reforms to combat child sex tourism by requiring service providers to verify the parental relationship of tourists traveling with minors. The measure, passed unanimously with 451 votes, aims to strengthen protections for children and prevent exploitation.

New Measures to Combat Child Exploitation

Under the amended Article 58 of the General Tourism Law, service providers must implement protocols to detect potential crimes against minors. Tourists accompanied by children will now be required to present official documentation proving their parental relationship, guardianship, or custody. If unable to provide proof, service providers must deny access and report the case to authorities.

Deputy Tania Palacios Kuri of the National Action Party (PAN) emphasized the urgency of the reforms:

“Requiring documentation is not bureaucracy—it is protection, an act of love, an act of justice. With every omission, with every ‘I didn’t see,’ with every ‘it’s not my problem,’ we become accomplices.”

Alarming Statistics on Child Exploitation

According to data from the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF), cited during the legislative session, approximately 17,000 minors are sexually exploited annually across 22 Mexican states. The problem is particularly concentrated in tourist hotspots such as Cancún, Acapulco, and Puerto Vallarta.

Morena Deputy Rocío Abreu highlighted Mexico’s global ranking in child tourism exploitation:

“Mexico holds the second-highest rate of child tourism exploitation worldwide, surpassed only by Thailand. Nearly 600,000 foreign sexual predators travel to our country for this purpose, primarily targeting well-known tourist destinations.”

Next Steps for the Legislation

The approved reforms have been forwarded to the Senate for further review. If enacted, the law will impose stricter oversight on tourism-related businesses, prioritizing child safety and holding service providers accountable for reporting suspicious activity.