This article examines the interplay between transnational criminal actors (essentially human smugglers), local crime groups, and drug cartels in the phenomenon of trafficking in persons coming from Central America along Mexico’s eastern migration routes. The analysis focuses on sex trafficking, compelled labor for criminal activities, and other forms of labor trafficking. Through qualitative research that involved 336 semistructured interviews with migrants, activists, and other persons familiar with the subject, this work describes and maps trafficking trends throughout Mexico’s eastern migration routes. It also sheds light on the role of drug cartels and other crime groups (local and transnational) in these activities.

本文探讨了跨国犯罪行为者（主要是人口走私者）、当地犯罪集团和贩毒集团在墨西哥东部移民路线沿线中美洲贩运人口现象中的相互作用。分析侧重于性贩运、为犯罪活动而强迫劳动以及其他形式的劳动力贩运。通过对移民、活动家和其他熟悉该主题的人进行的 336 次半结构化访谈的定性研究，这项工作描述并绘制了墨西哥东部移民路线中的贩运趋势。它还阐明了贩毒集团和其他犯罪集团（本地和跨国）在这些活动中的作用。