Grupo Firme cancels Mexico concert after alleged threat by drug cartel: 'Deeply saddened'
Grupo Firme has been forced to cancel an upcoming festival appearance after the Regional Mexican group was reportedly targeted by a drug cartel.
In a joint statement with its record label Music VIP, shared via Instagram, Group Firme confirmed the group would no longer be performing at the 2025 Carnaval Mazatlán on Saturday.
"We are deeply saddened to inform you that Grupo Firme's March 1 show at Carnaval Mazatlán is canceled," the statement read, in Spanish. "For Music VIP, the well-being of those who have accompanied us on this journey: our family, which is all of you, our fans are and always will be the most important."
Grupo Firme and Music VIP did not confirm the reason for the performance's cancellation in the Instagram Story post. "We hope to be able to meet again soon to sing, celebrate and continue making history with you," the statement concluded.
Representatives for Grupo Firme and Music VIP were not available for comment at the time of publication.
Grupo Firme is not the only Regional Mexican act to find itself in the crosshairs of narco crime. In 2023, singer Peso Pluma was forced to scrap a series of shows after being threatened by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Grupo Firme allegedly targeted in drug cartel threat
Wednesday's cancellation comes after the award-winning group, known for hits such as "Cada Quien," "El Beneficio de La Duda" and "Te Va a Doler," was allegedly targeted by drug traffickers on Tuesday in Tijuana, Mexico.
According to reports from Telemundo San Diego and Mexican publication El Universal, a narco manta — a banner used by cartels to communicate threats publicly — was posted on a bridge and addressed to Grupo Firme.
Per the outlets, the narco manta's message, written in Spanish, read: "Grupo Firme, if you play at the Carnaval Mazatlán, we're going to kill all of you. Remember that you live in Tijuana. We're even going to kill the person who puts up the lights."
Peso Pluma targeted by Mexican cartel: Singer cancels Tijuana show following threats
Along with the banner, a severed head was found on top of a plastic green box in the narco manta's location, according to Telemundo San Diego. Authorities have yet to identify the victim.
According to the outlets, the organization behind the narco manta has not been identified, although the Baja California district attorney shared that an investigation is underway.
Grupo Firme's performance at Carnaval Mazatlán was set to be the kickoff of the group's upcoming spring tour. The band's next concert stop is scheduled for April 4 and 5 at Palenque Expogan in Hermosillo, Mexico, according to the Grupo Firme website.
Contributing: Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY
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