Background on Los Alegres del Barranco and the Controversy
Los Alegres del Barranco, a popular Mexican music group, found themselves in hot water after performing a song that reportedly glorified Nemesio Oseguera, the leader of the powerful Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), a criminal organization labeled as a “foreign terrorist entity” by Washington in February.
The Charges and the Group’s Response
The Jalisco state prosecutor’s office accused the group of “apologia del delito” (promoting crime) for their late-March performance of the song that praised Oseguera. In response to these allegations, a Mexican judge ordered the suspension of the legal proceedings against Los Alegres del Barranco for six months.
Conditions of the Suspension
As part of the agreement, the group must pay 300,000 pesos (approximately $16,000 USD) to a benevolent institution. Additionally, the band members will attend two workshops on “sensitivity and crime prevention” in Guadalajara’s metropolitan area, where the controversial concert took place.
The Group’s Positive Contribution
Los Alegres del Barranco had already composed a song titled “El Consejo” (The Council), which delivers a message against involvement in drug trafficking. The lyrics warn that once engaged in the criminal activity, “only two paths remain: the cemetery or prison.” This song was one of the conditions for suspending the legal proceedings.
Narcocorridos and Their Impact
As narcocorridos, a subgenre of Mexican regional music, gain popularity, several states in Mexico have banned their public diffusion. These ballads often depict the lives of drug cartel members, which has led to controversy and, in some cases, violent repercussions.
Violence Against Artists
The artists performing narcocorridos have not been spared from the violence perpetrated by criminal organizations. In late May, five members of the group Fugitivo, who had gone missing a few days prior, were found murdered in Tamaulipas (northwest).
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Los Alegres del Barranco? Los Alegres del Barranco is a well-known Mexican music group.
- What were they accused of? They were charged with “apologia del delito” (promoting crime) for a song that reportedly glorified a drug cartel leader.
- What are the conditions of the suspension? The group must pay a fine to a benevolent institution and attend crime prevention workshops.
- What are narcocorridos? Narcocorridos are a subgenre of Mexican regional music that often depict the lives of drug cartel members.
- Why are narcocorridos controversial? Due to their subject matter, several states in Mexico have banned the public diffusion of narcocorridos, leading to controversy and, in some cases, violence against artists.
