Los Viagras Seize Control of the Internet in Michoacán

At the end of 2023, Mexican authorities confirmed that the criminal group Los Viagras had gained control and distribution of internet service in various communities in Michoacán. The discovery arose after multiple reports of service interruptions by Teléfonos de México (Telmex) and other companies in at least ten municipalities in the state, as a result of vandalism and infrastructure theft.

Investigations carried out by the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), in coordination with federal forces, revealed that members of Los Viagras had destroyed cabling, fiber optics, and telecommunications equipment, in some cases after unsuccessfully extorting the affected companies. This phenomenon was reported by companies such as Media Group since early 2023, which suffered attacks in municipalities such as Uruapan, Múgica, and Apatzingán. “We have no signal, not even television. We apologize to our subscribers,” reported Media Group, the company attacked for refusing to pay the floor fee.

According to information from the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), at least 11 complaints were filed for theft and damage to infrastructure, as well as a loss of nearly 500,000 pesos to Telmex, whose service was interrupted in the municipalities of Tacámbaro, Nuevo Urecho, Morelia, Zinapécuaro, Salvador Escalante, and Turicato.

Following the theft of telecommunications equipment, local media reported at the time that company workers attempted to enter to repair the damage, but Los Viagras denied access, affecting more municipalities.

In December, residents of towns such as San Juan de los Plátanos reported that armed individuals disrupted telecommunications services by cutting cables after demanding payments from the companies. State and federal agents subsequently seized antennas, repeaters, and other devices in properties allegedly operated by the criminal group.