An international effort coordinated by INTERPOL has resulted in 95 arrests in investigations targeting the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The organization announced the results on October 15, following operations involving 17 countries across Latin America and Europe.
Four parallel operations ran from March through September 2026, focusing on messaging applications and cryptocurrencies used to circulate and sell abusive material. Authorities executed 127 search warrants and rescued one child.
INTERPOL warned that these platforms can facilitate grooming, connect offenders, and enable payments for illegal content. Repeated circulation of abuse images also causes continuing harm to the children depicted.
In Colombia, police safeguarded a five-year-old child and arrested the child’s parent, whom authorities accused of producing and selling abuse material. INTERPOL said its International Child Sexual Exploitation database helped investigators link files depicting the same victim.
Authorities also reported arrests in countries including Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. Electronic devices and other evidence were seized for analysis.
Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic were among the participating countries, alongside nations in South America and Europe.
INTERPOL said examination of seized material could help identify additional suspects and children at risk. The announcement reports arrests and investigative findings; it does not establish that all suspects have been convicted.
References
interpol/News-and-Events/News/2026/95-arrested-in-operation-targeting-distribution-of-child-sexual-abuse-material
