Culture | Arms and the men

To their critics, Mexican drug ballads glorify violence

For their fans, they are tales of guts—and a reflection of reality

Los Tigres Del Norte performs during the RiseUp As One concert at the Cross Border Xpress grounds in Otay Mesa, California on October 15, 2016.  The Two day event at the USMexico border featured artists, influencers, comedians and thought leaders andcelebrates diversity and inclusion throughperformances, talks, and cultural expositions. / AFP / Sandy Huffaker        (Photo credit should read SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images
|MEXICO CITY

On January 5th Mexican security forces captured Ovidio Guzmán in the north-western state of Sinaloa. He is a son of Joaquín Guzmán, an infamous drug lord better known as “El Chapo”. Irate gunmen took to the streets; at least 29 people were killed. Something similar happened when Ovidio was apprehended in 2019. On that occasion, the country’s president ordered his release.

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Arms and the men”

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