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Mexican activists demand USMCA changes to combat digital violence
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Technology

Mexican activists demand USMCA changes to combat digital violence

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Mexican NGOs and activists are urging changes to the digital trade chapter of the USMCA agreement.
  • They argue current rules hinder investigations into digital violence and limit victims' access to justice.
  • The proposals aim to prioritize human rights protection over large tech platforms' interests.

Mexican civil organizations, specialists, and activists are calling for modifications to the digital trade chapter of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). They contend that the existing regulations make it difficult to investigate cases of digital violence and restrict victims' access to justice.

While the focus of this negotiation is on agriculture, the automotive industry, or manufacturing, no one is paying attention to digital trade.

— Marcela HernándezMarcela Hernández, of the Latin American Network of Digital Defenders, commented on the lack of attention to digital trade during the USMCA review.

The proposal comes ahead of the USMCA's scheduled review this year. Key articles targeted for revision are 19.12, 19.16, and 19.17 within the digital trade section. The advocates believe current provisions favor large technology platforms over effective human rights protection, as they do not explicitly compel companies to submit to the jurisdiction of the countries where they operate.

"While the focus of this negotiation is on agriculture, the automotive industry, or manufacturing, no one is paying attention to digital trade," stated Marcela Hernández of the Latin American Network of Digital Defenders. She emphasized that "digital violence knows no borders" and thus, "responses must be collective." Hernández also called for a transformation of "international law this time," recalling Mexico's pioneering role in legislating against digital violence with the Ley Olimpia, which has since served as a reference for other Latin American countries.

digital violence knows no borders

— Marcela HernándezMarcela Hernández stressed the transnational nature of digital violence.

Activist Olimpia Coral Melo highlighted that up to 73% of documented digital violence cases in Mexico do not lead to prosecution due to a lack of evidence and difficulties in obtaining information from digital platforms. "We want to fight because we dream of a specific and clear international treaty to provide clear solutions for those of us who have survived digital violence," she affirmed. Carmen Quijano of the Mexican Bar Association pointed out that many victims face obstacles in identifying perpetrators or advancing their complaints when crucial investigation information is held by large tech companies.

responses must be collective

— Marcela HernándezMarcela Hernández called for international cooperation in addressing digital violence.

According to data cited by the organizations, approximately 19 million Mexican women aged 18 to 30 have been victims of digital violence, based on census data from the 2026 Module on Cyberbullying (MOCIBA).

We want to fight because we dream of a specific and clear international treaty to provide clear solutions for those of us who have survived digital violence.

— Olimpia Coral MeloActivist Olimpia Coral Melo expressed the desire for a dedicated international treaty to combat digital violence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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