On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the plenary hall of the Michoacán Congress became an unexpected stage for the performance of the narcocorrido “Se les peló Baltazar.” The song, dedicated to Baltazar Díaz Vega—known as “El Balta” and one of the earliest associates of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, founder of the Sinaloa Cartel—was sung by Baltazar Gaona García, president of the Congress’s Board of Directors.

Accompanied by the band Carnavalito from Tarímbaro, the performance took place as part of a Father’s Day celebration organized for Congress workers. The legislator shared the moment on his social media, where he is seen singing from the Board’s podium, beneath the national emblem and in front of fellow deputies. To his right stood Rogelio Andrade Vargas, secretary general of the Legislative Workers’ Union, along with other parliamentary service staff.

Beyond the musical act, a meal was held in the Congress’s central courtyard to honor the workers on this occasion.

The choice of this particular song raised eyebrows due to its controversial background. According to a December 13, 2023, Infobae report, Baltazar Díaz Vega was the first criminal partner of El Mayo Zambada, and the narcocorrido narrates an episode where Díaz Vega was arrested on drug-related charges but later freed. The report also highlights the close personal ties between the two men, who became compadres and in-laws. The song “Se les peló Baltazar” has contributed significantly to Díaz Vega’s notoriety in Mexican popular culture.

Further coverage by Síntesis on May 2, 2026, reiterated Díaz Vega’s historical role in the origins of the Sinaloa Cartel and noted how the narcocorrido immortalized his figure, especially following the capture of his son, José Porfirio Díaz Medina. The newspaper Debate has also documented Díaz Vega’s trajectory and the cultural impact of the song.

The lyrics tell the story of a man pursued by federal authorities who manages to evade capture, emphasizing his escape from imprisonment. This narrative fits within the broader Mexican narcoculture, where corridos have long served as storytelling vehicles for figures linked to drug trafficking.

An additional layer of intrigue comes from the shared name between the song’s protagonist and the current president of the Michoacán Congress, Baltazar Gaona García.

As of the publication of this report on Friday, June 12, 2026, no public explanation has been offered by the legislator or the Congress regarding the choice of this song for the event.

This unusual scene contrasts with the usual activities held in the plenary hall, such as parliamentary debates, official testimonies, public servant inaugurations, and legislative voting sessions. There is also no official statement from the Michoacán Congress about using the plenary hall for festive events or about the performance of a song linked to a historical figure in Mexican drug trafficking.

This incident takes place in a state long affected by organized crime, where violence, disappearances, forced displacements, extortion, and territorial disputes persist, especially in Tierra Caliente, the Coast, and parts of the Bajío region. In May 2025, the Michoacán Congress criminalized the public glorification of illegal acts, including banning narcocorridos at public events.

The performance has sparked debate about the boundaries between cultural expression and the responsibilities of public institutions in a region still grappling with the impact of criminal organizations.

Watch the video of the performance here: https://x.com/LuisCardenasMx/status/2065480321970143532