CJNG Breaks Ties with Los Viagras in Michoacán

Violence in Michoacán shows no signs of abating; the criminal alliance between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Viagras—which has now collapsed—threatens to spark a violent turf war between the two groups. 

This breakdown is expected to trigger armed clashes, placing innocent civilians in the crossfire as the cartels vie to maintain their criminal operations. César Cabrera reports on the situation. 

The Tierra Caliente region has flared up once again following the dissolution of the alliance between two of Michoacán’s most powerful criminal organizations. For two years, the Viagras and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel operated jointly in key municipalities throughout the region, such as Apatzingán and Buenavista. 

They controlled extortion rackets, imposed levies, and dictated everything from the price of tortillas to the specific day on which limes were to be harvested. In La Ruana, Santana, Matlán, and Pisándaro, they designated exclusive points of sale for meat, chicken, beer, and livestock—dealing a direct blow to the residents’ wallets. 

“They used to charge 2 pesos, but they just hiked it up by another peso. Now they’re charging 3 pesos in extortion fees just for limes. On top of all that, the cost of basic necessities has skyrocketed due to the levies they’re imposing. The price of meat has gone up; beer and soft drinks have gone up—almost everything here has become more expensive now that they’ve moved in.” 

The criminal alliance originally formed in the wake of the collapse of United Cartels; however, internal disputes, abuses of power, and a fierce struggle for territorial control ultimately triggered the fracture. 

Security sources consulted by Milenio identify Santiago Magallón Quintero—alias “El Maguey,” a Jalisco Cartel operative based in Buenavista—as one of the primary figures responsible for the breakdown. 

The conflict escalated this week. On Tuesday, a suspected member of the Viagras was found executed alongside a cartel-style threatening message at the entrance to a recreational resort in Felipe Carrillo (La Ruana). 

“It was supposedly a message—a warning—directed at the Viagras from the ‘New Generation’ [Cartel]. They left the body right there, along with a note telling them to ‘come pick up their trash.’ It was a taunt aimed specifically at the Viagras currently operating here in La Ruana.” 

That took place right here at the *balneario*—the “Puerta del Sol” swimming spot—the one located just down the road from La Ruana. Hours later, the response arrived. The body of a 17-year-old youth—allegedly linked to the “Four Letters” cartel—was dumped at the crossroads within that very same district. 

Today, Tierra Caliente lives under mounting tension. Former allies are now battling for control of the territory, and the fear is that this rift will ignite a new war in Michoacán. Around here, they go about their business in plain sight of the entire town—armed, riding motorcycles, and driving cars—or rather, pickup trucks—and yet, no one stops them.

Source: Milenio