Overview and Key Statistics
While Mexico has seen a decrease in deliberate homicides of children, dropping from 634 cases between January and August 2024 to 517 in the same period of 2025 (18.5% less), eight states have broken this national trend, reporting significant increases in such crimes.
According to the Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México (Redim) report, based on data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), Sinaloa stands out as the most alarming case, with child homicides rising by 925%. The state saw four victims in eight months of 2024, compared to 41 in the same period of 2025.
Aguascalientes, Querétaro, Morelos, San Luis Potosí, and Guerrero also reported increases of 200%, 67%, 38%, 10%, and 8% respectively. Baja California Sur and Yucatán, which did not report child homicides in 2024, have reported three and one victims this year.
2025 Homicide Data
Guanajuato leads with the highest number of deliberate homicides of minors, at 87 cases (16.8% of the national total). Michoacán follows with 45 victims, and Sinaloa with 41; these three states account for more than one-third of all child homicides in the country.
Campeche, Nayarit, Tlaxcala, and Yucatán reported one victim each, while Durango did not report any cases during the analyzed period.
Of the 517 deliberate homicides of children, women, and adolescents in 2025, 411 were committed using firearms (79.5% of the total). Another 68 cases involved “other means,” and 32 were committed using bladed weapons. In six cases, the method used was unspecified.
Underlying Causes of the Figures
Experts agree that structural failures in security strategies, criminal disputes, stigmatization, and impunity contribute to the rising homicide rates against children.
Tania Ramírez, Redim’s executive director, explained that child and adolescent violence is multifactorial. She emphasized impunity as a primary reason for the recurring homicides: “Without consequences, crimes persist,” she said.
Ramírez also pointed out that specific cases, like Sinaloa’s surge, could be linked to intensified criminal violence from group disputes and failed security strategies. In Morelos, she suggested possible previous underreporting or changes in how delicts are classified.
Guerrero, she noted, displays a more structural pattern marked by entrenched and long-lasting violence.
Additionally, she highlighted strong adult-centrism and social stigma against adolescents. “There’s an ingrained prejudice that tends to blame young people. Often, they’re accused of being involved when they should be doubly protected by the state,” she stated.
Nancy Angélica Canjura Luna, a member of Causa en Común, mentioned that persistent structural causes remain unaddressed by authorities: poverty, family disintegration, and the growing influence of social media.
“Children and adolescents are not only victims of digital harassment. Some discourses are radicalizing young people, especially on gender and relationships issues, creating new offender profiles who internalize violent masculinity models,” she explained.
Canjura also noted that growing up in violent contexts leaves deep psychological marks on children.
“Children and adolescents develop a sense of powerlessness and the idea that violence is normal,” she elaborated.
Experts’ Recommendations
Both experts agreed that reversing this crisis requires immediate and structural actions. Among the urgent measures, they highlighted:
- Eliminating civilian firearm circulation
- Strengthening prevention and conflict resolution education policies in schools
- Ensuring decent material conditions, such as food, housing, and education, to reduce structural vulnerability
