A devastating tragedy has unfolded in northern Mexico, where five members of a regional music group known as Fugitivo were found murdered after having been reported missing since the weekend. Authorities from the state of Tamaulipas confirmed the discovery on Thursday. The musicians’ bodies were located in a rural settlement near the border city of Reynosa, adjacent to Texas.

A targeted attack

Tamaulipas state prosecutor Irving Barrios confirmed that nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the murders. The detainees reportedly belong to “Los Metros,” a faction of the Gulf Cartel, a powerful criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fuel theft. This cartel is one of six Mexican criminal groups classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.

According to authorities, the five musicians disappeared on May 25. The group was last in contact with their families on Sunday night, when they informed relatives they were headed to fulfill a scheduled performance at a local event hall. After that, all communication ceased. It wasn’t until days later that their bodies were discovered.

The group Fugitivo was known for performing regional music genres such as cumbias and corridos, frequently playing at community gatherings and social events in the region. The brutal killings have left local residents and the broader Mexican music community in shock and mourning.

Public outcry and collective mourning

The tragedy sparked widespread protests in Reynosa. Distressed residents took to the streets, demanding justice for the slain musicians and safety for the community. On Wednesday, demonstrators blocked the international bridge that connects Reynosa with Pharr, Texas — a key crossing point. That same evening, mourners gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe to hold a memorial and offer prayers and tributes to the victims.

The families of the musicians had earlier filed formal missing persons reports and publicly appealed to the local population for help. The case quickly gained visibility due to the community’s mobilization, underscoring the deep emotional and cultural importance of local music groups in northern Mexico.

Narcocorridos and government response

The murders have reignited controversy in Mexico over the genre known as narcocorridos — songs that depict the lifestyle, violence, and personas of drug traffickers. Critics argue that the genre glorifies criminal activity and contributes to normalizing drug-related violence, particularly among youth.

Several Mexican states have already implemented bans or restrictions on narcocorridos. In response to the growing popularity of violent lyrics, the government of Claudia Sheinbaum is launching a nationwide music competition aimed at promoting traditional Mexican songs with non-violent themes. The initiative is part of a broader cultural campaign to reclaim music as a positive social force amid the ongoing wave of violence linked to organized crime.

A region scarred by cartel violence

Reynosa, where the murders occurred, has long been one of the most violent cities in Tamaulipas, plagued by turf wars between rival criminal groups. The Gulf Cartel and its splinter factions, such as Los Metros, have repeatedly clashed over control of drug routes and illicit businesses. These conflicts have led to repeated mass killings, kidnappings, and high-profile acts of violence, often affecting innocent civilians.

The Fugitivo case also brings back memories of a similar tragedy in 2018, when two members of the music group Los Norteños de Río Bravo were kidnapped by armed men. Days later, their bodies were found on a federal highway. As in that case, the current investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the motive and circumstances behind the killings.

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