The results of Operation Cleanup are insufficient to effectively combat piracy in Mexico, stated the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

However, in the 2026 Special 301 Report released by the USTR this Friday, Mexico moved from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List.

Results of Operation Cleanup

The USTR acknowledged that Mexican authorities have conducted some raids to enforce intellectual property rights in markets across the country through Operation Cleanup. But it noted that these advances are not sufficient. In its view, the markets of El Santuario, Mercado San Juan de Dios, and Tepito—included on the 2025 List of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy—“continue to thrive.” 

Although administrative actions against counterfeiters through the IMPI remain effective, the USTR considered them to be “very limited” due to budget cuts. Furthermore, they are also affected by staff reductions.

To combat the growing number of intellectual property infringements in Mexico, the USTR urged Mexico to restore funding for law enforcement at the federal, state, and municipal levels. It also called for improved coordination between federal and sub-federal officials. Furthermore, it urged the prosecution of more intellectual property-related cases. In addition, it recommended imposing deterrent penalties on infringers. 

Intellectual Property

Rights holders also expressed concern to the USTR regarding the length of administrative and judicial proceedings for intellectual property infringement and the persistence of infringements while cases are pending. 

For the U.S. government, the submission of a legitimate physical copy of the pirated content remains a significant obstacle to enforcement. Likewise, stakeholders continue to raise issues related to bad-faith trademark applications and registrations. 

Investigations and criminal proceedings for trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy appear to be nonexistent, as the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has not published statistics on intellectual property law enforcement for the past six years.