Who are Los Viagras, the Michoacan cartel designated by the US as a terrorist organization
The Viagras emerged in Michoacán around 2014, after the fragmentation of the self-defense groups that fought the Knights Templar.
The United States government designated Los Viagras as a foreign terrorist organization and a specially designated global terrorist organization, a measure that toughens sanctions against the criminal group with a presence in Michoacán.
The decision also reached the Juárez Cartel and was announced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury.
The Viagras emerged in the Tierra Caliente region, in Michoacán, around 2014, after the fragmentation of the self-defense groups that fought the Knights Templar, according to Mexican media such as the weekly Proceso.
The organization is headed by the Sierra Santana brothers, among them Nicolás Sierra Santana, identified by US authorities as one of its main leaders.
Initially, the group maintained ties with self-defense organizations; However, with the passage of time, a criminal structure dedicated to drug trafficking, particularly methamphetamines and cocaine, was consolidated, as well as extortion, kidnapping, floor collection and control of economic activities in various areas of Michoacán.
US authorities also point out that Los Viagras have extorted avocado, lemon and other productive sectors, as well as ranchers and entire communities to finance their operations.
Likewise, they have been accused of attacks against security forces and for disputing territorial control with other organized crime groups.
In recent years, the organization has modified its criminal alliances. According to the United States Department of the Treasury, it has recently collaborated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the midst of the dispute for control of Michoacán, although historically it has also integrated alliances within the so-called United Cartels.
The incorporation of Los Viagras to the list of terrorist organizations places them alongside other Mexican cartels that had already received that designation since 2025, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, the CJNG, the Gulf Cartel, the Noroeste Cartel, Carteles Unidos and La Nueva Familia Michoacana.