Mexico has made so-called gender conversion therapies a criminal offence after many years of campaigning by activists.
The Senate passed a law reform on Friday that provides for two to six years' imprisonment for carrying out practices aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of another person.
Those who finance or enforce such treatments are also to be penalized, the Senate announced after the vote. The highest penalties are envisaged if minors are affected by the treatments. If the parents were involved, a judge would decide on the penalties.
The term "conversion therapies" refers to various practices for the alleged cure of homosexuality and transsexuality, among others.
According to UN experts and human rights activists, these practices often cause severe physical and psychological damage to those affected. The methods used include forced medication, beatings, isolation and other forms of abuse, which activists equate with torture.