In a bold move, the U.S. State Department has stripped visas from a Mexican band accused of honoring a notorious drug lord during a concert south of the border.

On Thursday, April 2, 2025, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau revealed that the Trump administration revoked the work and tourism visas of Los Alegres del Barranco after they projected an image of a dangerous cartel leader at a live event in Mexico.

The band displayed a picture of Nemesio Oseguera Ramos, known as El Mencho, on a giant screen during a recent performance, sparking fury across Mexico and prompting swift action from American authorities.

Concert Sparks Outrage in Mexico

El Mencho heads the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a ruthless group labeled by the Trump administration as one of eight “foreign terrorist organizations.”

The CJNG’s status as a feared transnational gang intensified the backlash against the band’s stunt.

Outrage erupted in Mexico, with citizens and officials condemning Los Alegres del Barranco for appearing to celebrate a criminal tied to widespread violence.

Prosecutors in two Mexican states launched investigations into the display, as reported by The Canadian Press, while President Claudia Sheinbaum called it unacceptable.

“This shouldn’t happen, it’s not right,” Sheinbaum said during a news conference, ordering a formal probe into the incident.

U.S. Takes Decisive Action

The band’s singer, however, seemed pleased that their name surfaced during Sheinbaum’s briefing, according to the BBC.

Across the border, Deputy Secretary Landau acted fast, announcing the visa revocations on April 2, 2025.

“I’m pleased to announce that the State Department has revoked the band members’ work and tourism visas,” Landau declared, accusing the group of “glorifying a drug kingpin.”

“I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences,” he added in an X post that day.

Trump Policy Targets Criminal Sympathizers

Landau stressed the Trump administration’s stance: “We take seriously our responsibility over foreigners’ access to our country.”

He made it clear the U.S. won’t welcome those who “extol criminals and terrorists,” aligning with the America First agenda cherished by conservatives.

For now, the band’s stunt has cost them U.S. access, while Mexico continues its investigations, showing the Trump team’s resolve to keep America safe from cartel glorification.