What is Operation Eclipse? Inside the INTERPOL-led operation to bust child sexual abuse ring, rescue 65 kids and arrest 60 suspects across the Americas

A year-long international police operation targeting child sexual exploitation has rescued 65 minors and led to 60 arrests across nine countries in the Americas, revealing decades-old abuse cases and exposing offenders ranging from family members to transnational predators.

From February 2025 to January 2026, Operation Eclipse worked to uncover child sexual abuse networks, prioritizing victim identification and the investigation of cold cases.

As part of the operation, countries reviewed 57 existing Red and Blue Notices for suspected offenders. So far, 12 individuals have been apprehended, with efforts continuing to locate and extradite the others.


According to the Interpol website, the operation identified mostly children aged 5 to 13, with around 80 percent being girls, highlighting the disproportionate impact on females while underscoring the need for protection for boys as well.

Operation Eclipse, led by INTERPOL with UNODC and CRC support, coordinated Latin American law enforcement to investigate, intervene, and gather cross-border evidence, with INTERPOL providing technical and intelligence guidance.

All minor victims were rescued and provided with protective and aftercare services by national authorities.

The suspects had varied relationships with their victims, ranging from family members and friends to educators, neighbours, online predators, and foreign travelers, demonstrating that sexual offenders do not fit a single profile.

Investigation across the borders

Operation Eclipse involved many countries, including Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Panama

In Panama, authorities closed a decade-old case from INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation database, identifying a previously unknown victim. The breakthrough, led by INTERPOL’s Victim Identification Task Force for Latin America and the Caribbean, enabled the collection of key evidence, ensured the victim received protection and support, and led to the identification of another victim

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, authorities arrested two suspects, including the mother of two victims, aged 10 and 13, and a transnational offender living with them. The arrests, linked to production and possession of child sexual abuse material, led to the seizure of additional evidence and the discovery of more victims.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, police traced child abuse material from the ICSE database dating back over a decade, confirming the victim’s identity. The offender had impersonated a celebrity online and used grooming, sextortion, and threats against the victim’s family to maintain control.