In brief
The US State Department has revoked the visas of the Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco for allegedly promoting drug kingpin El Mencho at a recent concert, highlighting ongoing tensions between music, crime, and government regulations.
In a striking move, the US State Department has rescinded the visas of members of the Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco due to their concert performance, which the government deemed as glorification of drug kingpin El Mencho. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau revealed that the incident occurred during a concert in Zapopan, Mexico, where an image of Nemesio Oseguera Ramos (El Mencho), the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was projected on screen while they played a song praising him.The CJNG, labeled a "foreign terrorist organization" by the Trump administration, is identified as one of the primary threats in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the United States. Landau emphasized the importance of maintaining strict control over who can enter the country, particularly when it involves individuals who promote criminal activity.Los Alegres del Barranco had an extensive concert schedule planned across various states in the US, including Texas and California, where their norteño music has garnered a significant following among Mexican-American communities. The visual display of El Mencho occurred amidst a performance of a song that depicted him as a "man of war who loves his family," cleverly referring to his notorious cartel.Narcocorridos, a genre of music that romanticizes cartel figures, are prevalent in Mexico, where many artists are often financially supported by individuals within the drug trade. The band is also known for songs that have celebrated other cartel leaders, including a piece about Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.The concert’s timing was particularly controversial, as it coincided with the discovery of a facility linked to the CJNG, associated with the distress of families searching for their missing relatives. This has prompted outrage, not only from the US government but also from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who publicly denounced the act and called for an investigation into the band’s actions.The frontman of Los Alegres del Barranco expressed mixed feelings about the controversy created, showing appreciation for the attention and support received on social media platforms like TikTok, emphasizing their connection with fans.As the discussion around narcocorridos continues, the bans and backlash against bands involved in promoting drug culture reveal the complex relationship between music, crime, and international law.
