The Querétaro state government has put a stop to “narcocorridos,” music that promotes violence. Through a decree, Governor Mauricio Kuri González announced that the performance or reproduction of songs that glorify crime will not be permitted at public events, plazas, fairs, stadiums, auditoriums, and any other space open to the public.
With this, Querétaro joins the states that have enacted this measure, which has generated controversy nationwide.
Querétaro joins the ban on “violent music”
In a message posted on social media, Kuri asserted that the state is no stranger to the problems plaguing the country, but emphasized that his government will not stand idly by.
“In Querétaro, we prevent and warn, we defend peace and the common good,” stated the state governor, justifying the measure, which seeks to protect children and adolescents from messages that normalize violence.
No musical genres are targeted, says Kuri
The governor clarified that the measure does not target a specific genre, but rather content that glorifies crime, fear, hatred, or wealth obtained through illicit activities.
“This is not about silencing voices; it’s about protecting values,” Kuri noted.
He also noted that even the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has established that freedom of expression has limits when it violates public morality or incites crime.
Urges municipalities and private businesses
Kuri González called on the mayors of the state’s 18 municipalities to reinforce the measure in their local regulations.
The call also extended to private entertainment centers, where it will be necessary to prevent the normalization of messages that promote violence.
“We will not allow the seed of violence to be sown in the hearts of our people,” the governor warned.
Querétaro, land of peace and respect
The state leader emphasized that Querétaro is a land of peace, work, and respect, and it must remain that way. He explained that freedom does not exist without responsibility, and therefore, it will not be tolerated for this to be used as a pretext to spread messages that celebrate criminals.
Finally, he maintained that the measure seeks to defend the present and future of new generations, based on the conviction that music and culture should be instruments that strengthen community life and not glorify violence.
States that have spoken out against “narcocorridos”
In recent months, several states and municipalities across the country have promoted similar reforms to restrict the glorification of crime in public events.
Guanajuato
Michoacán
Morelos
Nayarit
Aguascalientes
In the State of Mexico, although there is no state legislation, several municipalities have already implemented this measure since this year, including:
Texcoco
Metepec
Tejupilco
In addition, other municipalities prohibited these expressions, even before the controversy erupted in 2025.
Cancún, Quintana Roo (starting May 2023)
Chihuahua (July 2023)
Tijuana, Baja California (November 2023)
Other states in the country are discussing initiatives to implement similar restrictions.
What’s happening in Jalisco?
Pablo Lemus, governor of Jalisco, has stated on several occasions that, in the state, no musical genre will be banned, but songs that glorify crime will not be allowed.
It’s worth remembering that Jalisco is one of the states where the issue has generated the most controversy, as in the case of Los Alegres del Barranco, a group that paid tribute to “El Mencho” during a concert in Guadalajara in March 2025.
Instead of legal sanctions, the government promoted a reparation agreement: the group was to compose songs with positive messages and participate in awareness-raising activities with young people in conflict with the law.
Source: unotv
