Los Alegres del Barranco, one of the most outstanding musical groups of the Mexican cultural region, has broken his silence. To address the backlog, the US Embassy launched a rolling visa review process. This has greatly complicated the collective’s ability to obtain travel documentation due to their ties to the “narco-corridos” genre.
The narco-corridos genre has generated heated debate. More importantly, it powerfully illustrates the brutal truths Mexican youth experience while ensnared in cartel bloodshed. These songs are always stories that young people can identify with. At once, they portray the perils and hardships of existing in the wake of drug trafficking. Yet the genre has faced its own backlash for glorifying cartel leaders, at times depicting the drug traffickers as Robin Hood-esque figures.
In recent months, the US administration under President Donald Trump has escalated its scrutiny of Mexican artists involved in this genre. Two months ago, Los Alegres del Barranco faced sanctions after projecting images of a notorious cartel leader during a concert. This action is part of a larger national trend of punishing artists who create works seen as sympathetic towards criminal conduct.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau provided some key background as to why this is such a big deal for the administration. He stated, “I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences.” He further emphasized the need for caution, saying, “The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.”
The review process for the T and U visas continues. This sudden turn of events keeps Los Alegres del Barranco from getting to their next show. The collective expressed their frustration in a detailed surprise announcement posted on Instagram. They claimed that an “administrative review by the US Embassy” barred them from flying.
As the war continues, it raises profound questions about the future of artistic expression. Furthermore, genres such as narco-corridos which bring attention to important social issues are put in jeopardy of being deemed inappropriate. The current back-and-forth speaks to the complicated relationship between cultural expression and federal regulatory scrutiny. This relationship is made even more complicated in our ever-globalizing world.
