The age of consent in Mexico is 15, not 12 as falsely claimed in recent social media posts and online articles. This misinformation has circulated amid heightened discussions surrounding immigration policies and border control between the U.S. and Mexico. This article clarifies the legal age of consent in Mexico, debunking the inaccurate information and providing factual context.
Mexico’s Legal Framework on Sexual Consent
Mexico raised its age of consent from 12 to 15 in 2012, a change documented in the Mexican government’s official records and reflected in the current penal code. Before this amendment, sexual activity with minors aged 12 to 17 could be prosecuted under laws related to the corruption of minors or if consent was obtained through deception. These provisions now apply to individuals aged 15 to 17.
Mexican law explicitly states that sexual intercourse with a person under 15 is considered rape and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment for eight to 30 years. This sentence can be extended if “physical or moral violence” is involved. The current penal code, last updated on June 21, 2018, maintains this stipulation with no subsequent legislation altering the age of consent.
Origins and Dissemination of False Information
The false claims originated from a tweet by conservative commentator Ann Coulter, linking to a Your News Wire article that incorrectly stated the age of consent in Mexico as 12. This article referenced an outdated version of the Mexican penal code found on the Wayback Machine, an internet archive that stores past versions of web pages.
Furthermore, the Your News Wire article falsely asserted that the European Parliament was considering lowering the age of consent across the European Union to 13. This claim is also inaccurate, as the European Union does not determine the age of consent for its member states; each country establishes its own laws regarding this matter. The European Parliament has no jurisdiction over member states’ age of consent laws.
Conclusion
The age of consent in Mexico is unequivocally 15 years old. Claims suggesting otherwise are based on outdated and inaccurate information. It is crucial to rely on verified sources and official documentation when seeking information about legal matters, particularly those as sensitive as the age of consent. Misinformation can have serious consequences and perpetuate harmful narratives.
