Los Viagras: Criminal Impact on Agriculture and Society in Michoacán and Guerrero
In recent years, the criminal group known as Los Viagras has become a major player in organized crime in Mexico, particularly in Michoacán and Guerrero. This report delves into their activities, their effect on agricultural production, and their broader role in reshaping the landscape of violence and economic dynamics in the region.
Michoacán: Before and After 2006
Before 2006, Michoacán was a region defined by its agricultural prosperity, with local economies thriving on the production of avocados, lemons, and mangos. Socially, the state maintained strong community ties through rural traditions and family-owned farming enterprises.
However, the launch of the “War on Drugs” in 2006 marked a dramatic turning point. Michoacán became a frontline in the battle between the federal government and cartels, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and economic disruption. Organized crime expanded its reach into extortion, land dispossession, and other illicit activities, breaking the region’s stability and eroding trust in local institutions
The Rise of Los Viagras
The Sierra Santana brothers, originally from Pinzándaro, a rural community in Buenavista municipality, founded Los Viagras. They first emerged as a self-defense group in 2014, claiming to fight against the influence of Los Caballeros Templarios. However, their transition into a full-fledged criminal organization was swift, driven by weak government oversight and lucrative opportunities in controlling strategic territories within Tierra Caliente. Los Viagras have since diversified their operations, including extortion, drug trafficking, and land seizures.
Economic Impact on Agriculture
- Lemon Production Under Siege: Los Viagras, often in collaboration with the CJNG, impose quotas of up to 2 pesos per kilo of lemons packed for export. These extortion practices have inflated production costs and driven up consumer prices, reaching over 100 pesos per kilo in some cases.
- Avocado Extortion: Known as “green gold,” avocados are another key agricultural product controlled by Los Viagras. Through coercion and “protection fees,” they have secured significant revenue while simultaneously destabilizing local production and international exports. Michoacán produces about 80% of the avocados exported to the U.S., making the sector a strategic target.
Land Dispossession in Guerrero
In Guerrero, particularly in high-value areas like Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Los Viagras have employed violent and fraudulent methods to seize land. Using falsified documents, threats, and leveraging local government corruption, they dispossess smallholders and farmers. These lands are often repurposed for drug cultivation or illicit real estate developments, perpetuating cycles of violence and displacement
Rivalry with CJNG and Fragmentation of Cartels
The past decade has witnessed significant fragmentation within Mexico’s cartels. Key drivers include:
- Territorial Disputes: Los Viagras’ rivalry with CJNG reflects a fight for dominance in lucrative regions.
- Shifting Objectives: While some cartels remain focused on trafficking routes, others, like Los Viagras, increasingly exploit local economies through extortion and land grabs.
Despite their recent alliance with CJNG, tensions remain, as both groups vie for control over resources and strategic corridors
Weapons Supply Chain
Los Viagras’ arsenal is sourced through:
- International Trafficking: Many firearms are smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Black Market: Weapons stolen from military or police inventories are circulated domestically.
- Alliances: Collaborations with CJNG have provided access to more sophisticated weaponry.