Famous Mexican singer was allowed to perform in the US after being investigated for cartel ties

In Spanish

Fans of singer Julión Álvarez were surprised by an important announcement. After not performing on U.S. soil for seven years because authorities suspected he had ties to drug cartels, the Chiapas-born singer and his Norteña band are set to perform there again.

Julión’s journey was anything but easy or unremarkable. After an investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department, authorities concluded that the regional Mexican singer had ties to Raúl Flores, a leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

He was not the only public figure involved in the case; Former Mexican soccer star Rafa Márquez was also named; both were considered “front men” for the cartel boss. As a result, their accounts were frozen and they were banned from entering the United States

But is that the whole story? In 2021, Julión shared his page and claimed the connection was due to a misunderstanding. He recounted how he worked with a man to purchase land for future urban development, unaware that the real estate company involved had previous ties to Flores.

“The property belonged years ago to a real estate company linked to the Flores family. I invested through my art company and within eight to ten months I had problems with the partner,” Julión explained at the time.

After years of litigation, the artist was finally removed from the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blacklist in May 2023. The following month he received his tourist visa and celebrated by visiting the United States with his family.

Julión announced in October of that year that he and his band had received work visas, indicating plans to bring his music to American stages.

“I’m excited because we now have our work visas to work in the US. Mine was the last to arrive. We are ready to plan, whether for February, March and April or March, April and May. “We are there and thank our fans,” he shared.

Julión’s return announcement came via his official Instagram, where he posted a video of himself holding his passport. Alongside the clip was a heartfelt caption thanking God and his fans for their patience:

“God’s timing is perfect and precise. Thank you to each of you for waiting all this time. It’s a gift from God!”

While details of Julión and his Norteña band’s upcoming US shows are still under wraps, his visit is expected to be scheduled for the first half of 2025, ushering in a new chapter in his personal and professional life.