Censorship of Los Alegres del Barranco in Mexico

The musical group Los Alegres del Barranco reported government censorship during a performance at the Arena Ciudad de México on August 7, 2026. Vocalist José Pavel Moreno informed the audience that “people from the government” had intervened to prohibit certain songs, displaying a playlist with crossed-out tracks to demonstrate the restrictions.

The group stated these measures were taken to avoid legal complications stemming from a March 2025 incident in Zapopan, Jalisco. During that previous concert, the display of images related to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’, led to investigations for ‘apología del delito’ (apology for crime), legal proceedings, and the revocation of members' U.S. visas.

In response to such incidents, several local congresses in Mexico have approved reforms to prohibit narcocorridos and the apology of crime during public shows. Moreno characterized the restrictions as an attack on freedom of expression and noted an inconsistency regarding how these songs are treated in Mexico compared to their popularity in the United States.