In brief
The band faces backlash after projecting an image of the notorious cartel leader during a concert, igniting controversy.
In a significant move, the US State Department has revoked visas held by members of the Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco, citing their “glorification of a drug kingpin.” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau highlighted that during a recent concert in Zapopan, Mexico, the band projected an image of Nemesio Oseguera Ramos, known as El Mencho, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The CJNG, infamous as one of the most dangerous drug trafficking organizations, has recently been designated by the Trump administration as a “foreign terrorist organization” in a broader crackdown on drug-related crime within the United States. In a statement on social media platform X, Landau emphasized that the Trump administration takes the matter of foreign access to the US seriously. He expressed his disapproval, stating, “the last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.”The decision to revoke the band’s visas coincided with their concert performance where they aired an image of El Mencho while performing a song that praises him, portraying him as “a man of war who loves his family,” in a clear reference to his leadership role within the CJNG. This incident drew ire not only from US authorities but also from various Mexican officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, who asserted that such displays should not be tolerated and ordered a formal investigation. Additionally, narcocorridos, a genre of music that celebrates drug cartel figures, is prevalent in Mexico. Many bands in the norteña genre find themselves financially supported by drug lords who commission songs honoring these leaders. Los Alegres del Barranco has a history of performing such songs, including one that details the rise of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, another well-known drug lord.The controversy surrounding the band intensified after recent discoveries related to the CJNG. Authorities described a ranch linked to the cartel as a “training and extermination camp” after families searching for missing persons found evidence of human remains and other remnants indicative of sinister activities.Nevertheless, the singer of Los Alegres del Barranco expressed excitement over the media attention they received, saying in a TikTok video that it was “cool” and thanking their supporters, despite the backlash from the authorities.
