Cellular Operator América Movil (Claro) Gets Electricity Cut Off By Cali’s Utility Company For Nonpayment

Cali Colombia’s municipal electrical utility, Emcali has disconnected over 140 energy taps feeding América Movil’s cellular equipment, leaving many customers with no telecommunication or internet service. América Movil operates in Colombia primarily under the Claro brand name.

According to Emcali, Claro owed over 20 billion pesos ($5 million USD), and told local news daily El Pais that Claro had been trying to use legal manipulation to evade payment. For its part, Claro disputes the claims. Emcali states that Claro has made a partial payment but the outstanding debt remains over $11 billion pesos.

A esta hora EMCALI adelanta suspensión del servicio de energía a Claro.30 cuadrillas con 90 operarios adelantan las labores para suspender el servicio de energía a las fuentes de poder de claro instaladas en la infraestructura de Emcali. Claro adeuda $11.824 millones de pesos pic.twitter.com/1YCLxyMZS2

— Aldemar Dominguez Espinosa (@aldemardomingue) February 6, 2022

“Claro categorically rejects Emcali’s actions of trying to take the Internet from the city and pressing the solution of a complaint to request a clarification that had been presented by Claro.”

Emcali workers have already accused Claro of tampering with Emcali equipment to reconnect electrical service without authorization.

Atención trabajadores de emcali denuncian que personal de Claro adelanta reconexión de energía, sin autorización de EMCALI. pic.twitter.com/grpA7rQLpG

— Aldemar Dominguez Espinosa (@aldemardomingue) February 6, 2022