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Mexico Sets Early-2026 Phone Signal Cutoff in 27 Prisons

Authorities will use signal jammers alongside upgraded monitoring to choke off calls used for extortion.

Overview

  • Omar García Harfuch said phone service will be blocked in 14 federal prisons and 13 Mexico City facilities, with completion targeted for the first trimester of 2026.
  • Officials reported that 12 penitentiaries account for 56% of phone lines tied to extortion identified through citizen reports.
  • About 33% of detected extortion lines have already been disrupted through antenna removal in Altamira, antenna replacement in Matamoros, and full 3G/4G blocking at Santa Martha Acatitla.
  • The rollout includes signal inhibitors, advanced closed‑circuit systems, motion sensors and security scanners across federal facilities.
  • Authorities also reported that 75% of recorded extortion attempts over the past six months did not succeed, while some coverage still cites a broader first‑semester 2026 completion window.