In a move that has sparked widespread debate in Mexico and beyond, the U.S. State Department has revoked the visas of members of the Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco after they projected the face of notorious cartel leader Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera onto a large screen during a concert.
The move comes as prosecutors in two states launch investigations into the incident and a national reckoning over how to address the rise of popular Mexican regional music, known as “narco corridos,” which has been criticized for romanticizing drug cartels.
“I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.”
The controversy erupted when the image of Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was displayed behind the band during their performance in the western state of Jalisco over the weekend. While some audience members applauded, others expressed outrage, with Jalisco prosecutors announcing an investigation into whether the band was promoting violence.
Violating Mexico’s laws on public performances can result in a penalty of up to six months in prison. Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus has vowed to ban musical performances that glorify violence and punish violators “monetarily and criminally.”
As a result of the scandal, several of the band’s future shows have been cancelled, with one town citing lack of municipal permissions as the reason.
The dispute coincides with a broader cultural debate in Mexico over how to address the rise of narco corridos, which has seen artists like Peso Pluma and Fuerza Regida top the charts by mixing classic ballads with trap music. However, many have criticized the genre for glorifying cartel leaders and perpetuating violence.
In response to the controversy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for an investigation into the concert, stating that “you can’t justify violence or criminal groups.” The incident has also sparked renewed debate over censorship vs. regulation of the music industry in Mexico.
Source: AP News
