Bogotá reports surge in missing minors and human trafficking

Data from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences reveals a concerning rise in crimes involving minors in Bogotá. Between January and June 2026, 538 minors were reported missing, with 288 of them still unaccounted for.

Of the reported disappearances, more than 50% involve girls between the ages of 10 and 17. Specifically, 334 cases involve this demographic, and 156 of these girls remain missing. Additionally, 42 children between the ages of zero and five were reported missing during the same six-month period.

Authorities and local officials are investigating potential links between these disappearances and other criminal activities. Reports indicate a 128% increase in human trafficking cases between 2025 and 2026, alongside 281 recorded instances of sexual exploitation involving children and adolescents.