"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat
Narco corridos, songs that narrate and sometimes praise the activities of organized crime, have been the subject of controversy in Mexico for years. But do you know how much the fine is for singing them?
Recent sanctions against artists for performing these genres put at the center of the debate whether or not it is legal to sing this type of music genre.
What does the law say about narco ballads?
While there is no specific prohibition on narco corridos, Article 208 of Mexico's Federal Penal Code prohibits "apology of crime", i.e., publicly glorifying crime or its perpetrator.
Therefore, those products or performances that glorify drug trafficking could be crossing a dangerous line. This applies not only to narco ballads, but also to any other artistic expression that glorifies crime.
So what is the fine for singing narco ballads in Mexico?
Those who incur in the apology of crime can face sanctions ranging from 10 to 180 days of community work, according to Article 209 of the same code.
State and municipal entities in Mexico have the power to determine additional sanctions. For example, in Chihuahua, where corridos have been banned since 2015, fines can reach up to 350 thousand pesos.
There are several cases that have sounded on this issue. In Quintana Roo, particularly in Cancun, events where narco corridos are played have been cancelled. However, economic sanctions are not always imposed.
One case that attracted attention was that of the soccer player Julio César 'Cata' Domínguez, who organized a party with a theme alluding to drug trafficking. Despite the controversy, no fines were imposed by the authorities.
And although there is no specific prohibition on narco ballads, the risk of penalties for making an apology for crime is present. Artists and promoters should be informed and aware of the legal landscape when planning their shows.
Natanael Cano receives a fine of more than one million pesos in Chihuahua
This weekend, the Secretary of the Chihuahua City Hall, through its Subdirección de Gobernación, imposed a fine of 12 thousand UMAS to the renowned singer Natanael Cano, which means a total of 1 million 244 thousand 880 pesos.
Cano was sanctioned after being caught performing songs that glorify crime. In addition, the content of his songs promotes violence against women, contributing to their denigration, discrimination, marginalization and exclusion.
Por una mano El gobierno multa a los cantantes por cantar corridos… y por la otra el mismo gobierno protege y se lucra del Narco.
ReplyDeleteMultar a los narco cantantes ES combatir a los narcos
DeleteVery True
Delete"In addition, the content of his songs promotes violence against women, contributing to their denigration, discrimination, marginalization and exclusion".
ReplyDeleteNo le gustarán las mujeres hermosas al Cano ñengo, desnutrido y grifo? Estos vatillos modernos🤡
Violacion ala constitucion de libertad de expresión.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess Mexico isn’t a true democracy after all. I mean freedom of speech is a fundamental right in democracy.
ReplyDeleteNope its a democracy but you has a limited understanding of how things work. I assume you are one of the guys believing that the windmills make wind with electricity cause they are only rotating when the wind blows.
DeleteGet back into you trailer mi hijo
What is an UMAS?
ReplyDeleteIt's a PUMASR.
DeleteAll worth the publicity they receive… They can easily blackout these guys and truly ban the narco corridos, but that would go against the agenda..
ReplyDeleteAll you gotta do is come to America and you can sing about rape, murder, cartels anything and everything. No fines. Lol good ol usa!
ReplyDelete