Ciudad Victoria, Mexico (AP) – The remains of five musicians from Mexican regional music were discovered in Reinosa, north of the Texas border, officials announced on Thursday.
The members of the band Grupo Fugitivo, known for performing at local events and dances, had been reported missing since Sunday.
A prosecutor from Tamaulipas, involved in the inquiry into their disappearance, indicated that they were lured around 10 PM that night while en route in an SUV to the venue where they were scheduled to perform. Their bodies were located on the outskirts of Reinosa. Authorities stated that nine suspects have been apprehended, believed to be associated with the Gulf Cartel faction, which holds significant influence in the area.
Officials were not able to clarify the reasons behind the killings and did not dismiss reports from local media suggesting that the bodies had been burned.
The styles they performed – encompassing a wide range of Mexican regional music, including Corrido and Cumbia – have gained prominence in recent years, entering an international musical renaissance. Younger musicians sometimes pay homage to drug cartel leaders, often depicted as Robin Hood-like figures.
It remains uncertain whether the group included such themes in their music or if they fell victim to the pervasive cartel violence that engulfs the city. Other artists have faced death threats from cartels, while some have been denied US visas under accusations from the Trump administration that they glorify criminal violence.
The last known communication with the musicians was the night they received the invitation. After that, no further contact was made.
Their disappearance sparked outrage within Tamaulipas, a region long affected by cartel conflicts. Families of the missing individuals called for public support, leading to protests on the streets.
On Wednesday, demonstrators blocked the International Bridge linking Reynosa and Farr, Texas, and later gathered at the local cathedral to pray and lay offerings.
Reinosa, a border city adjacent to the US, has faced an escalation of violence since 2017 due to internal strife among groups vying for dominance in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fuel theft.
This incident echoes another event from 2018, when an armed individual abducted two members of the music group Los Nortenos de Rio Bravo, with their bodies eventually discovered on a federal highway connecting Reinosa to Rio Bravo in Tamaulipas.
Source: apnews.com