Julion Alvarez, a well-known Mexican singer who has previously faced scrutiny regarding alleged connections to drug cartels, has announced the cancellation of his concert in Texas , attributing the decision to the revocation of his U.S. visa.
In a video statement shared with The Guardian, Alvarez expressed, “We are unable to travel to the U.S. and meet our obligations to you.” He further indicated that the event would be postponed until further notice.
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The singer was scheduled to perform at a stadium in Arlington, Texas, before a large audience. This recent turn of events follows his acquisition of a work visa approximately seven months prior, after enduring several years of restrictions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Alvarez was placed on the OFAC list following an investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department, which concluded that he had associations with Raúl Flores, a known leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. He was not alone in this predicament; former Mexican soccer player Rafa Márquez was also implicated, with both individuals identified as potential “front men” for the cartel figure. Consequently, their financial accounts were frozen, and they were prohibited from entering the United States.
Alvarez has contested these findings, asserting that any connection stemmed from a misunderstanding. He explained that he had collaborated with an individual to acquire land for prospective urban development, unaware that the real estate firm involved had historical ties to Flores. After years of legal challenges, he was removed from the OFAC list in 2023, but is now facing renewed difficulties under the current administration.
Moreover, Alvarez’s situation reflects broader issues within the industry. Recently, the organizers of Chicago’s Michelada Fest—a celebration of Mexican music and culture—announced the cancellation of its 2025 edition due to increasing concerns regarding artist visa approvals.
Originally scheduled for mid-July, the festival had anticipated performances from prominent Latin artists such as Danny Ocean, Anitta, Grupo Firme, and collaborator Netón Vega of Natanael Cano. The lineup also included significant regional Mexican and corrido performers like Los Alegres del Barranco, whose U.S. visas were recently revoked after controversial imagery related to cartel leader ‘El Mencho’ was displayed during a concert in Zapopan, Jalisco.
Several other corrido artists slated to perform at Michelada Fest, including Luis R. Conriquez and Codiciado, reportedly experienced delays or rejections in their visa applications, casting uncertainty over the festival’s programming. The cancellation represents a significant setback not only for fans but also for Chicago’s Latino business sector, which has historically depended on the festival to stimulate summer tourism and enhance food and beverage sales.
