Alcohol consumption, the main civic offense for minors

Data obtained by EL UNIVERSAL reveals a concerning trend in Mexico City: a significant number of minors are being apprehended for civic offenses, with alcohol and substance abuse topping the list. Between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, a total of 2,657 minors were brought before Civic Judges. Of these, a staggering 1,616 were detained for consuming alcohol or inhaling toxic substances, highlighting a critical issue of underage substance abuse.

The statistics further indicate that other common offenses include obstruction (379 cases), fighting (123 cases), and entering prohibited areas (89 cases). These figures underscore a broader challenge in maintaining public order and addressing juvenile delinquency within the capital. The data, sourced from the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) through a transparency request, paints a detailed picture of the types of infractions leading to the detention of adolescents.

Geographically, the Iztapalapa district stands out with the highest number of adolescent detentions, accounting for 1,127 cases. Other districts with high incidences include Cuauhtémoc (338) and Álvaro Obregón (281). Conversely, Cuajimalpa, Milpa Alta, and Tláhuac reported the lowest numbers. This disparity suggests that localized social and economic factors may play a role in the prevalence of these offenses. EL UNIVERSAL previously reported that theft is the primary cause for detaining minors before a Public Prosecutor, with 2,707 out of 2,931 minors accused of some form of robbery in the past five years.