Mexican singer Julión Álvarez has officially pulled the plug on his much-anticipated concert set for Arlington, Texas. The recent revocation of his visa by U.S. authorities made the cancellation inevitable. As a consequence, he’s unable to deliver a performance for the potential audience of 50,000 enthusiastic fans at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys football team.
Álvarez posted this video statement to Instagram to let his followers know about the perplexing visa problem. He did not announce any further specifics. He tweeted to unambiguously voice his displeasure about the development. As he put it, “We cannot come to the US and deliver on our promise to you.”
The revocation of Álvarez’s visa is not the first time he has been singled out by U.S. officials. In 2017 the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned him for his actions. This move came on the heels of claims of being part of his ties with the Mexican organized crime syndicate, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Treasury Department sanctions directed at Álvarez alleged that he conspired with a Monterrey, Mexico-based music promoter. This promoter was implicated in laundering money for a cartel that the Trump administration has subsequently designated as a terrorist organization.
Despite denying any ties to criminal organizations, Álvarez has encountered significant obstacles regarding his ability to perform in the United States. He suffered limits for many years. His exit from the sanctions finally came in June 2022 when he was granted re-entry into the U.S. after his sanctions were lifted. With the recent visa revocation, he has once again been prevented from upholding concert obligations.
The consequences of this story go far beyond Álvarez. His case illustrates a growing trend. U.S. authorities are currently pursuing indictments against a range of Mexican public officials, from politicians to musicians, for their purported connections to organized crime. Marina del Pilar Ávila, the governor of Baja California, and her husband Carlos Torres Torres have publicly acknowledged their ban from entering the U.S. This ban is the result of allegations almost identical to those brought against several others.
Álvarez is by no means alone in experiencing these barriers. Recent court cases brought against other high profile musicians around the industry underscore this tricky truth. Ángel Del Villar, the CEO of Del Records, recently lost a judgment in a federal district court in Los Angeles. He was later convicted due to his alleged ties to a music promoter connected to the CJNG. In addition, singer Gerardo Ortiz pled guilty to similar counts and testified against Del Villar.
Today’s cancellation represents a big moment in Julión Álvarez’s career. Specifically, it calls attention to the obstacles countless artists must often overcome when faced with costly legal and governmental conflicts which prevent their ability to perform internationally.