Global crackdown on child abuse networks: 84 captured, 7 in Panama

Panama. - The Attorney General's Office achieved the imputation of six people in Panama for the alleged possession of aggravated child abuse material, as a result of the international operation “Allies for Children VI”, a coordinated deployment that was executed simultaneously in 15 countries with the aim of combating the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

During the guarantee control hearing, judge Erick González ordered provisional detention for three defendants, while the other three must comply with precautionary measures of periodic reporting and prohibition from leaving the country.

The operation, which originated in Argentina, extended to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Spain, France, Honduras, Paraguay, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic, with the aim of combating networks dedicated to the possession, production, distribution or facilitation of child sexual abuse material.

In the case of Panama, the authorities confirmed the capture of seven people, as part of raids carried out in the province of Panama and Chiriquí, in coordination with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (DNIP) and the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ).

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Seized electronic devices will be subjected to forensic analysis as part of the process. Taken from the MP According to international reports, the operation left 84 detainees: 26 in Argentina, distributed in 14 in Buenos Aires City, three in Córdoba, three in Misiones, three in Santa Cruz, two in the province of Buenos Aires and one in Formosa; in addition to 58 in the rest of the countries, including 44 in Brazil, seven in Panama, three in Uruguay, three in Peru and one in Puerto Rico. The operation also had the support of Homeland Security Investigations of the United States, as well as support from embassies and international security agencies. Panamanian authorities highlighted that these types of actions are part of a strategy to identify child sexual exploitation networks that operate both locally and transnationally, using technology, clandestine forums, and online channels to share illegal material. During the raids, the seizure of electronic devices was also achieved, which will be subjected to forensic analysis, with the aim of locating possible victims and expanding ongoing investigations. Detentions in Argentina —where the base of the network is presumed to operate— concentrated 26 captures distributed in several provinces, as part of the international operation against child exploitation. Infobae Argentina

Crime on the Rise

In parallel, data from the Public Ministry reflects an increase in crimes related to child pornography, which reinforces the relevance of this type of operation. According to the statistical report as of March 2026, 32 cases of child pornography were recorded, which represents a significant increase compared to the 4 cases reported in the same period of 2025, equivalent to an increase of 700%. Regarding the possession of this material, 7 cases were reported, maintaining similar figures to the previous year. The same report indicates that, between January and March 2026, a total of 1,441 reports of crimes against sexual freedom and integrity have been registered in Panama, with a slight variation of 1% compared to 2025, which shows an overall stability, but with important changes in the composition of the crimes. Marked increase in child pornography cases in Panama until March 2026, with 32 complaints registered compared to 4 in the same period of 2025, according to data from the Public Ministry. (Illustrative Infobae Image) Within these, increases are also seen in crimes such as corruption of minors, which went from 71 to 89 cases, and sexual harassment, which registered a 33% increase.

Geographically, the report shows that the First Judicial District, which includes the province of Panama, concentrates the largest number of complaints with 673 cases, followed by the Third Judicial District with 496, which confirms the concentration of the problem in urban areas with high population density.

Increases are also observed in regions such as Chiriquí, Coclé and Panama Oeste, while other areas show reductions. Regarding the total number of sexual offenses, the figures reflect that the majority correspond to rape and other sexual offenses, which represent 1,302 cases, compared to 139 cases linked to the corruption of minors and commercial sexual exploitation, which shows the breadth of the problem beyond the digital environment.

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However, the growth in crimes associated with child pornography marks a trend that worries the authorities. Panama has accumulated 1,441 reports of crimes against sexual freedom and integrity between January and March 2026, with increases in the corruption of minors and sexual harassment, according to the Public Ministry. (Illustrative Image Infobae) Investigations continue in Panama and the rest of the participating countries, while security agencies reiterate that international cooperation is key to confronting these types of crimes, which operate without borders. Authorities have indicated that the identification of new victims, the tracking of digital networks, and the prosecution of those responsible will remain priorities within this global offensive against child sexual exploitation.