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The travel visas of a Mexican band have been revoked by the U.S. Department of State following their controversial display of imagery related to a notorious drug lord during a concert. This decision has garnered significant attention amidst ongoing concerns about the influence of narcotraffickers in popular culture.
Los Alegres del Barranco, a group known for its corrido music, was slated to perform in Austin, Texas, on April 5, as part of a series of U.S. performances. However, at a concert in Guadalajara, the band featured on their video backdrop images of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly referred to as “El Mencho.” He is the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has recently been designated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Reports indicate that the performance included a song that celebrated Oseguera Cervantes, portraying him as a family man and a figure of courage, effectively glamorizing his criminal exploits. Notably, Los Alegres del Barranco has been linked to an additional song honoring Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, another infamous drug lord.
The backlash was swift, with several Mexican politicians, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, condemning the band’s actions as a harmful glorification of crime. In response, an investigation was launched to address the implications of the band’s portrayal of a notorious criminal figure. The situation escalated when U.S. lawmakers became aware of the imagery and ultimately led to the revocation of the band’s visas, putting an end to their planned U.S. shows.
“I strongly support freedom of expression, yet such expressions can carry consequences,” stated Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau in a social media post regarding the incident.
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Landau further elaborated that the glorification of figures associated with violence and crime, such as Oseguera Cervantes, is unacceptable in the context of cultural engagement in the U.S. “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for those who applaud criminals and terrorists,” he asserted.
At the time of publication, neither the band nor the U.S. Department of State had issued a formal comment on the matter in response to inquiries from media outlets.
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