Tough Times for Mexican Musicians

According to Tijuana’s La Prensa newspaper, on June 21, Mexican federal agents raided the Little Devil social hall in Tijuana. They reported seizing thousands of rounds of ammunition, 19 high-caliber weapons, and a pound of methamphetamine.

Over 60 people were arrested, including 5 musicians hired to entertain for the evening. Family members of the detained musicians have filed a complaint with a Mexican human-rights organization, saying the musicians are innocent and unaware of any wrongdoing on the part of attendees, many of whom have been linked to major South American crime cartels.

Sort of related: At least 15 Mexican musicians have been killed for performing narcocorridos, or drug ballads, during the past two years. The songs tend to name reputed drug lords and principals involved in smuggling activities. The performers attract an audience, including individuals who take offense to the specificity of the lyrics.

Mexican musicians have been shot, run over, burnt, suffocated, and strangled. Grammy-nominated Sergio Gómez of K-Paz de la Sierra was kidnapped after a performance in 2007 and tortured for two days. When found, he’d been strangled to death with what appeared to be a guitar cable.

– Jay Allen Sanford