Mexican Band Banned from Entering the U.S. Fires Back With Song About the Consequences of Crime

Mexican regional band Los Alegres del Barranco, known for their songs about the lives of drug dealers. has released a striking new single, 'El Consejo' ("The Advice"). The release of the song comes just months after the band had their U.S. visas revoked for "glorifying a drug kingpin."

'El Consejo' marks a significant shift from Los Alegres' usual style of songwriting. The Sinaloan band's new single is a cautionary tale warning against organized crime, with lines like, "Let me give you advice, if you want to live long... don't get tangled in the bad stuff," and "There are only two paths: the cemetery or prison cell."

The song follows weeks of controversies around the band, which started with a performance in March in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, where the band displayed images of cartel leaders Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes and Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán while playing tribute songs.

Then, Jalisco state governor Pablo Lemus Navarro publicly condemned the band for "glorifying organized crime" in late March 2025 and requested the band to write a song about the dangers of the criminal lifestyle.

On April 1, the U.S. State Department revoked their visas, citing their promotion of a cartel defined as a terrorist organization. Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau emphasized that "freedom of expression... doesn't mean freedom from consequences" and stated that the U.S. will not admit figures who "extol criminals and terrorists."

The backlash extended north and south of the border. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly condemned the band, and the Jalisco State Prosecutor's Office opened investigations into "glorification of crime," risking prison terms of up to six months. Governor Lemus further issued a regional ban on performances that glorify crime, calling for accountability from both promoters and performers.

The band issued a message on social media regarding the song, stating, "Los Alegres del Barranco are storytellers. But this is probably the most important story we want to tell. We invite you to listen to this new song, created at the invitation of Governor @Pablolemusn. Crime is not a game, and if you get involved, there's no happy ending." Governor Lemus praised the song on social media, stating that it "should be listened to closely, especially by young people."

Other high-profile Mexican artists, such as Julión Álvarez, Josi Cuen and Jorge Medina, have also faced visa complications for similar reasons, prompting delays, cancellations, and increased scrutiny at the border. Mexican states like Nayarit, Chihuahua, and even Jalisco are actively considering or enforcing bans on narcocorrido performances, which have faced criticism from popular Mexican musicians like Christian Nodal and Natanael Cano.

You can listen to the song here.