# Missing persons and child exploitation in Bogotá

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/missing-persons-and-child-exploitation-in-bogot
> Updated: 2026-09-30T21:44:47.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Bogotá have issued urgent calls for citizens to report missing persons immediately, emphasizing that the first three hours are critical for effective recovery efforts. To support this, the Attorney General’s Office utilizes the Urgent Search Mechanism (MBU) to coordinate field operations through the Technical Investigation Body (CTI).

Data from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences indicates a significant rise in disappearances involving minors. Between January and June 2026, 538 minors were reported missing, with 288 remaining unaccounted for. More than 50% of these cases involve girls aged 10 to 17. 

Officials are investigating potential connections between these disappearances and other criminal activities, noting a 128% increase in human trafficking cases between 2025 and 2026, as well as 281 recorded instances of sexual exploitation involving children and adolescents.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Bogotá reports surge in missing minors and human trafficking

Bogotá reports 538 missing minors in the first half of 2026, with over 50% being girls aged 10-17. Authorities are investigating links to rising human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bogot-reports-surge-in-missing-minors-and-human-trafficking

### 2026-09-28: Bogotá authorities urge immediate reporting of missing persons

Bogotá authorities urge immediate reporting of missing persons, noting that the first three hours are critical and that citizens do not need to wait 72 hours to file a report.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bogot-authorities-urge-immediate-reporting-of-missing-persons

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Cite as: Missing persons and child exploitation in Bogotá. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/missing-persons-and-child-exploitation-in-bogot