Mexico’s human trafficking survivors have a message for World Cup fans

Mexico’s Human Trafficking Survivors Have a Message for World Cup Fans

From Trauma to Advocacy: Survivors Sound the Alarm

Mexico s human trafficking survivors have – At just 12 years old, Karla Jacinto was thrust into the world of prostitution in a Guadalajara brothel, where she was coerced into serving clients for years. Her recollection of the moment she was sold to strangers is vivid: “I wept, shouted, and pleaded for assistance, but no one responded until my emotions began to fade.” Jacinto’s journey from victim to activist underscores a growing fear among survivors that the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico could exacerbate the crisis of human trafficking. With the event drawing millions of tourists, criminal networks are expected to exploit the surge in demand for entertainment and services.

Stories of Exploitation: A Common Pattern

Survivors like Jacinto and Mixi Cruz recount similar experiences, revealing a system that preys on vulnerability. Cruz, who was trafficked at 15, described how her trafficker promised her a better life in Mexico City, only to subject her to relentless sexual exploitation. “During the time my trafficker controlled me, there was a noticeable spike in the number of clients seeking prostitution during matches,” she said. This pattern, observed in multiple cases, highlights a potential link between large-scale events and increased trafficking activity.

“I can tell you from my own experience that during the time my trafficker sexually exploited me, there was an increase in demand for prostitution (during sporting events),” said Mixi Cruz, who was about 15 when she was forced into prostitution in Mexico City.

The World Cup’s three host cities—Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey—are already hubs for organized crime, with traffickers leveraging their existing networks to capitalize on the influx of international visitors. Survivors warn that the event’s spotlight could create new opportunities for exploitation, particularly in areas where prostitution is legal and regulated for adults.

The Scale of the Problem: Underreported and Underestimated

According to Mexico’s National Public Security System, the number of human trafficking victims has surged from 537 in 2017 to 1,154 in 2025. Yet, these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the total cases. Gabriela González García, a director general for the Citizens’ Council for Security and Justice of Mexico City, estimates that just 2% of trafficking incidents are reported to authorities. This underreporting is attributed to fear, shame, and the lack of trust in law enforcement.

Activists argue that the problem is being downplayed by both government officials and the public. “The truth is that Mexico is not currently prepared to host a World Cup,” said Cruz, adding that the authorities have not taken sufficient measures to address the issue. Her statement echoes concerns raised by UNICEF and other organizations, which have joined efforts to highlight the risks of trafficking during the tournament.

Multi-Agency Campaigns: A United Front Against Exploitation

In response to these fears, initiatives like “It’s a Penalty” and “World Cup Without Trafficking” have been launched by a coalition of governments, NGOs, and private entities. These campaigns aim to raise awareness and encourage reporting of trafficking cases, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight during the event. However, survivors stress that such efforts must be matched by concrete actions to combat the underlying conditions that make trafficking possible.

“We need more than awareness—we need systemic change,” said Jacinto, who now works to support other victims. Her activism reflects a broader movement among survivors to demand accountability, not just from criminal groups but also from institutions that fail to protect vulnerable populations. Despite these calls, critics point out that government corruption and impunity have allowed trafficking to flourish, even as officials claim to be cracking down on the issue.

The Economics of Exploitation: Trafficking as a Profitable Enterprise

Human trafficking, especially for sexual and labor exploitation, is rapidly becoming one of Mexico’s most lucrative criminal businesses. According to the 2025 Global Organized Crime Index, it now ranks third in profitability after drug and arms trafficking. Gangs such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel have expanded their operations into the sex trade, using the World Cup as a potential catalyst for growth.

CNN recently visited four red-light districts in Mexico, where sex workers openly discussed the challenges they face. Indira Villegas, a senior technical adviser at the Latin American division of The Mekong Club, a Hong Kong-based NGO, noted that these districts are not just sites of adult entertainment but also breeding grounds for trafficking. The legal framework allowing prostitution in 13 Mexican states further complicates efforts to distinguish between voluntary participation and forced labor.

Challenges of Monitoring and Enforcement

While some government agencies are collaborating with NGOs to improve reporting mechanisms, the sheer scale of the World Cup presents significant hurdles. Millions of tourists are expected to flood the country, creating a complex environment for law enforcement to track and intercept trafficking operations. Jacinto and Cruz, among others, warn that without stronger protections, the risk of new victims increases.

“The World Cup is a window of opportunity for traffickers,” Jacinto explained. “They know that with more people coming in, there’s more demand—and more money to be made.” This sentiment is shared by many survivors who believe that the event’s temporary nature may mask long-term consequences. “It’s not just about the World Cup itself,” Cruz added. “It’s about how the chaos of large gatherings can be exploited by criminals.”

Voices of Concern: A Call for Action

Despite the government’s assurances, survivors like Jacinto and Cruz remain skeptical. They cite ongoing issues of corruption and impunity, which they argue enable traffickers to operate with little fear of repercussions. “Officials say they’re cracking down, but the reality is different,” Jacinto said. “We see the same patterns repeating every year.”

Their concerns align with those of international organizations, which have repeatedly warned about the potential for the World Cup to fuel trafficking. UNICEF, for example, has called on authorities to implement targeted measures to protect at-risk youth, particularly in areas with high tourist activity. Meanwhile, private companies involved in hosting the event are being urged to take greater responsibility for ensuring ethical labor practices.

A Path Forward: Strengthening Safeguards

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the challenge is to create a safer environment for both tourists and local communities. Survivors emphasize that the government must do more than issue statements—it needs to allocate resources, train law enforcement, and establish support systems for victims. “We can’t wait for the World Cup to be over to address this,” Jacinto said. “The damage has already started.”

For Jacinto, whose life was transformed by the trauma of trafficking, the campaign is a chance to shine a light on the issue. “I want people to know that this isn’t just a problem for the past—it’s here now, and it could get worse if we don’t act,” she said. Her message resonates with others who have endured similar fates, urging the public to recognize the human cost of the event’s popularity.

The World Cup is more than a sporting spectacle; it is a test of Mexico’s ability to safeguard its most vulnerable citizens. As the tournament draws near, the hope is that the voices of survivors will inspire meaningful change, ensuring that the celebration of football does not come at the expense of human dignity. For now, Jacinto and her peers continue to fight, determined to prevent the cycle of exploitation from repeating itself in the eyes of the world.