Dear Sir,
How curious to see an article in the Reporter about illegal electricity connections (diablitos)! For over a decade, we’ve been struggling with reduced voltage at our rental house in Ajijic, which uses 220V appliances.
Despite repeatedly reporting the issue to CFE, there has been no response. I even took detailed photos and submitted the address to CFE in writing, as they requested.
I also informed the Ajijic delegado (city administrator), someone I’ve known personally for years. I sent photos to contacts within CFE and provided the same details to a local Spanish-language publication, but they seemed uninterested in covering the story.
Around ten years ago, federal authorities donated a computer center to the Ajijic Malecon. The local government’s only responsibility was to provide electricity, so “someone” decided to connect a line from a post on Calle 5 de Mayo to the Malecon. The line was strung across the street, tied to a fence, and even passed through ficus trees to reach the computer center. And just like that, they had free electricity.
Did I say “stealing”? I guess it’s not stealing if the government is doing it, right?
Of course, the connection isn’t metered, and there’s no breaker. Instead, there’s a “puente” (bridge) strung across where the meter should be.
A few years later, an apartment building was constructed along the same route as the illegal line. The builders used a large Coke bottle as an insulator to prevent the illegal line from touching their roof. The line is still tied to the fence, now even attached to the balcony of the new building. How accommodating of the new owners!
We’ve experienced numerous issues with electrical appliances in our rental that burn out because they’re not receiving the proper voltage due to this theft of power. The CFE doesn’t supply enough amperage to areas with unmonitored consumption. Most 110V users wouldn’t notice, but for us with 220V appliances, it’s a constant problem.
When CFE came out to connect the new construction, they must have seen the illegal line crossing over the legal lines and running to the computer center. Yet no one seems to care. Worse, additional lines have now been attached to the original to power lights and a bathroom at the Malecon.
I guess it will take a fatal electrocution before anyone takes this seriously?
I’ve been told that CFE would need to install a new post on the street to accommodate more users, which would involve a fee to the city. I’m not sure if that’s true, but the illegal line has been there for over ten years! It’s been more than three administrations since the computer center was donated.
So while your article about the diablitos is amusing, it hardly reflects the reality of life in a Pueblo Mágico. Our town is so magical that electricity is free—at least for some.
Tom Thompson
Dear SIr,
Thank you for your recent and timely article entitled “SAVE Act threatens rights of overseas voters.”
What can you do to help Stop this Voter Suppression Act in the United States?
Go to www.5Calls.org—then input your Zip code and select SAVE Act. You will get contact info for your two Senators and U.S. House Representative.
Call them immediately, because this act could be up for a vote any day now.
This un-American legislation would create significant obstacles for ALL Americans living abroad—whether they are Republican, Democratic, Independent, Third Party, Military or Civilian voters.
Most importantly, this act would require you to present voter ID IN PERSON in the U.S. county where you are registered ... a real hardship for most Americans living abroad.
Don’t wait, call your Senators and U.S. House Rep today. Takes just a few minutes.
S. Janet Payne,
Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala Chapter Chair