Grupo Firme, a prominent Mexican regional music band, has canceled its upcoming performance at La Onda Fest in Napa Valley, California, scheduled for June 1. The cancellation stems from the suspension of the band’s visas by the U.S. government, which is currently under an administrative review by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. The band announced the news on Friday via their Instagram account, stating that the visa situation made it "impossible" for them to perform.

The U.S. State Department has recently revoked visas for several Mexican musicians, citing concerns that their music glorifies cartel violence. This decision follows a troubling incident where five Mexican musicians were found dead in Reynosa, near the Texas border, raising alarms about the dangers faced by artists in the region.

In their statement, Grupo Firme expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to their fans and emphasized their appreciation for the support they have received in the U.S. They also mentioned that they would provide updates regarding their return to the U.S. for future performances.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has stated that visa records are confidential and cannot disclose details about individual cases. This situation is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which has taken steps against Mexican artists associated with the controversial genre of "narco-corridos." These songs often depict the lives of drug lords and the violence surrounding cartel activities, leading to significant backlash.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau previously commented on the issue, saying, "I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that expression should be free of consequences. The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists."

Grupo Firme has made efforts to distance itself from the more controversial aspects of the genre. In April, the band announced it would refrain from performing songs that glorify criminal groups, following increased scrutiny and restrictions imposed by some state governments in Mexico.

The cancellation of Grupo Firme’s concert adds to a series of similar incidents affecting regional Mexican artists. Just days before, fellow musician Julión Álvarez also canceled a concert after his work visa was revoked. Additionally, the group Los Alegres del Barranco faced sanctions after projecting images of a cartel leader during a concert.

Grupo Firme, formed in 2014, has gained immense popularity, with a record-breaking concert in Mexico City’s Zócalo attracting over 280,000 attendees in September 2022. The band has achieved significant success on the Billboard charts, with multiple No. 1 hits in the Regional Mexican Airplay category.