MEXICO CITY — The U.S. State Department has withdrawn the visas of several members of a Mexican music band following their controversial performance in Jalisco, where they displayed an image of a notorious drug cartel leader.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has sparked significant outrage. Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Christopher Landau, confirmed on social media that the visas of Los Alegres del Barranco band members, both for work and tourism, have been revoked.
This action follows intense public backlash in Mexico, prompting investigations in two different states. Critics argue that the band’s actions contribute to the growing trend of music sensationalizing drug cartels, leading to broader debates about the genre’s impact.
“Freedom of expression is essential, but there are often consequences for our expressions,” Landau commented on social media. “We cannot afford to provide a platform for those who glorify criminals and terrorists.”
The controversy heightened after the band, hailing from Sinaloa, portrayed the face of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera with fiery graphics during their concert performance. Oseguera is infamous for leading the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, linked to illicit activities such as training recruits on a ranch in Jalisco, where disturbing findings have been reported by authorities.
The Jalisco cartel, among other criminal organizations in Mexico, was classified as a foreign terrorist group during the Trump administration.
Despite initial applause for the imagery during the performance, authorities in Jalisco swiftly summoned the band for inquiry, investigating potential promotion of violence — a serious charge in the area. This crime could lead to a sentence of up to six months in prison. The state of Michoacan also opened an investigation after the band used similar projections in Uruapan.
Pablo Lemus, governor of Jalisco, stated a commitment to prohibiting performances that glorify violence, indicating that offenders would face both financial and criminal repercussions.
“Public outrage isn’t the solution,” Lemus asserted. “We need to take decisive action and enforce bans where necessary.”
In response, several of the band’s upcoming events have been canceled, as one town government indicated that the performance lacked required municipal permits.
Pavel Moreno, the band’s accordionist and backup vocalist, has yet to respond publicly regarding the visa revocation, maintaining a positive stance by thanking fans for their support and insisting that “everything is okay.”
The band had scheduled a subsequent performance in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for early April. However, ticket availability has been halted, as indicated by ticketing platforms displaying notices that read: “No tickets available for now on our site” for the specified date.
This incident aligns with larger cultural discussions in Mexico, where artists like Peso Pluma and others are revitalizing regional music by blending traditional ballads with contemporary trap beats. In 2023, Peso Pluma surpassed other popular artists in streaming statistics.
Despite the genre’s popularity, many artists face harsh criticism for portraying drug lords as heroic figures. Supporters of the genre, known as “narco corridos,” argue that these songs reflect the stark reality faced by youth throughout Mexico.
The response to such music varies across regions, with several Mexican states having implemented bans on public performances due to associated threats from cartels, leading to concert cancellations.
In contrast, leaders like Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum have advocated for less restrictive measures. Sheinbaum proposes initiatives that promote socially responsible regional music instead of censoring it outright.
Nonetheless, following the Los Alegres del Barranco performance, President Sheinbaum adopted a firmer stance. During a recent briefing, she called for a detailed investigation into the concert, emphasizing the importance of not endorsing violence or criminal entities.