Juan Carlos Sierra Santana, leader of Los Viagras shot dead in confrontation

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Proceso article

Subject Matter: Los Viagras, Michoacan
Recommendation: See link to article by Chivis on Juan Carlos Sierra Santana

Reporter: Francisco J Castellanos
Juan Carlos Sierra Santana, La Sopa, one of the seven brothers that heads the criminal organization Los Viagras ( Otis: also see Fuerzas Rurales Michoacan), lead by El Gordo Santana, was taken down Sunday afternoon during a confrontation with antagonistic groups in the limits of this town and Buenavista, informed sources from the SSP and the Army.

La Sopa was killed by wounds sustained by bullets. The confrontation was reported by the authorities, but the local Police did not intervene. At the site of the confrontation hundreds of rounds, rifle magazines, rifles, 40 mm grenades and tactical equipment was confiscated.

As a result of this incident, elements of the Army and the Michoacan Police carried out extra patrols and vigilance in the zone, indicated an official communication from the Secretary of Public Security.

In relation to this incident, the State dependency gave out a press release:

“Elements of Sedena (the Army) and the SSP confiscated hundreds of rounds of ammunition, rigle magazines and tactical equipment in this town, and maintained vigilance patrols in the region to guarantee the security of the villagers.

“After initiating an operation to verify that there had been a confrontation between armed civilians in the community of Pena Colorada, uniformed officers localized and confiscated 200 plus round of ammunition in .308 calibre, 7.62 x 39 mm and .223.”

“Also 32 rifle magazines, 12 x 40mm grenades, a 40mm grenade launcher, which were put at the disposition of the competent authorities.”

“Previous versions of these events had resulted in the wounding of an alleged criminal leader,, the surrounding hospitals have been searched for suspects but the results have been negative.”

“Tne Secretary of Public Security are in coordination with local authorities both State and Federal to maintain a vigil in all of the Tierra Caliente region to assure the security of the local population.”

The history of Los Viagras goes back to when the Sierra Santana brothers were in high school and because of the way they combed their hair with it sticking straight up, their class mates called them Viagra.

Some time later, because of their fondness for cock fighting, several of the Sierra Santana brothers flocked to the Palenques and their rivals said ” Here come Los Viagras”.

Original article in Spanish at Proceso