Songs glorifying drug lords face ban

A new law proposed by Mexico's ruling party could send musicians to prison for performing songs that glorify drug trafficking. Anyone performing or producing songs or films which glamorise criminals could go to prison for up to three years.

"Society sees drug ballads as nice, pleasant, inconsequential and harmless, but they are the opposite," National Action Party MP Oscar Martin Arce said.

The ballads, known as narcocorridos, often describe drug trafficking and violence, and are popular among some norteno bands. After some killings, gangs play narcocorridos into police radio scanners, along with threatening messages.