The United States State Department revoked visas of Los Alegres del Barranco members because the Mexican band displayed the face of a notorious drug cartel leader at their concert over the weekend.
The decision to show the image of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) at their Jalisco concert performance behind the band has triggered widespread anger throughout Mexico together with intensified government efforts to suppress music that celebrates criminal activities.
The concert by the band became the center of a major dispute after they displayed Oseguera’s face with flames behind it. The audience cheered when the image appeared but soon afterward authorities started criticizing it.
The local prosecutors of Jalisco initiated probes to determine if the band encouraged violence through its focus on criminal personalities since this could lead to six months of incarceration.
Additional investigations against the same activities were initiated in Michoacán following the probes in other states.
The United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau published through social media platforms that he had revoked the visas of the band members.
The government should not provide entry to individuals who promote criminals and terrorists according to Landau. The State Department joins government-wide initiatives to prosecute drug cartel-linked persons and organizations through its recent action.
A national cultural debate in Mexico focuses on the “narco corridos” musical genre because it praises the lives of drug cartels members.
Both praise and criticism have surrounded the lyrics of Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano as some listeners view their work as promoting criminal activities.
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The Mexican states of Nayarit along with President Claudia Sheinbaum have taken different approaches to manage their regional music policies since the public performance bans began appearing in Nayarit.
The negative reaction has endangered the future performances of Los Alegres del Barranco including their planned event in Tulsa Oklahoma and specific concerts have already been cancelled.
International relationships face the risk of strain because the incident reveals widespread border tensions about drug cartel representations in Mexican music.
