Ruthless Mexican cartel threatens to kill famed singer, other artists: “This is the last time you will receive a warning”
Mexican authorities are offering state protection to prominent regional singer Natanelle Cano and other artists after a ruthless drug cartel in northern Mexico publicly threatened them, prosecutors confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, a photo of a banner threatening the lives of several other Sonora-area artists circulated on social media. Cano is a singer in corridos, a music genre often associated with drug cartel violence.
The banner appears to be signed by “Jalisco Matazaras,” a group affiliated with the Sinaloa drug cartel known as “Chapitos,” which in recent months has A bloody power struggle sows the seeds of terror in northern Mexico. Chapitos – which include Son of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán – Used corkscrews, electric shocks and hot chili peppers to torture their opponents Some victims were “fed to death,” according to an indictment released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Chapitos accused the singers of “financially aiding” a rival gang called the Sarachares.
“This is your last warning to stop talking nonsense and mind your own business,” the banner read. “If you don’t heed this warning you will be shot.”
Ismael Rosas/Eyepix Group/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Sonoran Prosecutor’s Office told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the threatening message was discovered on a school and they have launched an investigation.
Prosecutor spokesman Alain de la Rosa said authorities offered state protection to the artist “to prevent any acts of aggression related to the direct threats displayed on the banners”. He did not elaborate on the nature of the protection.
Cano’s communications team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Corridos, composed of folk songs from northern Mexico, are a musical genre long associated with drug violence, but they also depict the harsh realities faced by many Mexicans living under drug violence. Along with regional Mexican music, the genre is experiencing a renaissance as young artists like Cano and Peso Pluma fuse classic styles with other genres like trap music.
Mexican music streaming on Spotify has grown 400% in the past five years, and in 2023, Mexican artist Peso Pluma surpassed Taylor Swift to become the most streamed artist on YouTube.
The artists have long faced harsh criticism from authorities and threats from drug gangs.
2023, Featherweight – Pays tribute to “El Chapo” in song – The 25-year-old singer was forced to cancel a show in Tijuana after he received threats from rivals of the Sinaloa drug cartel and warned that if he continued to perform , “This Will Be Your Last Show” with the concert.
same year, Threats of violence This forced the northern band Grupo Arriesgado to cancel a planned concert in Tijuana.
Later, Tijuana banned the performance of drug ballads altogether to protect the “eyes and ears” of young people while trying to curb the violence. Local authorities in northern states had previously banned musicians from singing “The Serpent”.
November, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Vows to launch a movement to promote other, less violent styles of music links to drug dealers Make an effort to stop glorifying them.
The threats against Cano come after a surge in violence in Sinaloa and other northern Mexican states.
The threats against Cano come after a surge in violence in Sinaloa and other northern Mexican states over the kidnapping and capture of drug cartel leaders. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and what happened subsequently Total war between rival factions The Sinaloa drug cartel, including the one allegedly threatening Cano.
Bodies have turned up across Sinaloa, often dumped on the streets or in cars with hats on their heads Or a pizza slice or a box with a knife nailed to it. Pizza and sombreros have become unofficial symbols of the warring cartel factions, underscoring the brutality of their war.
