The Puebla government announced the cancellation of Gerardo Ortiz's concert scheduled for May 2025 at the Palenque de la Feria de Puebla following his guilty plea in the United States. The cancellation was revealed on Thursday, March 20, 2025, where the authorities indicated that refunds would be processed at the Centro Expositor ticket booths.
According to Boleti World, the concert, initially set for May 11, 2025, was canceled due to "issues beyond the company's control." Ortiz recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for violating federal law by conducting business and performing concerts with a Mexican promoter associated with drug cartels.
Specifically, Ortiz admitted to working with Jesús Pérez Alvear, a promoter accused of laundering money for organized crime. Notably, he appeared in a U.S. court where he confessed to conspiring to transact with Pérez Alvear and agreed to testify against his partner, Ángel Del Villar, the CEO of DEL Records. Del Villar is also facing charges related to narcotics trafficking and has been accused of violating the Kingpin Act, which restricts American individuals and companies from engaging in business with known drug traffickers.
Gerardo Ortiz stands out as the primary artist represented by DEL Records, a prominent label in the Mexican music industry based in the United States. His association with a promoter linked to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) ultimately led to considerable public outcry, prompting the event’s organizers to withdraw his name from the roster shortly after the legal revelations.
The news of Ortiz's cancellation comes amidst a highly anticipated Feria de Puebla event, set to take place from April 25 to May 11, 2025. The Festival promises a rich selection of musical talents, including Julión Álvarez, Christian Nodal, and Carin León, among others. It is regarded as one of the key celebrations of music and cultural showcase in Puebla.
Despite the opportunity for Ortiz to perform and connect with his fans, the fallout from his recent legal troubles left him stripped from the line-up for this significant cultural occasion. Following the announcement, reactions varied among the public; while some supported the decision, others lamented the singer's exit and suggested alternative artists to fill his place.
In contrast to Ortiz’s cancellation, the feria organizers proceeded to finalize the event lineup, with new acts expected to draw a crowd despite the controversy surrounding Ortiz’s departure.
The full event will explore various genres, from traditional ranchera music to contemporary pop, with an exciting schedule of performances. Key dates for this year’s lineup include:
- 25 de abril: Julión Álvarez
- 26 de abril: Yuri
- 27 de abril: Banda MS
- 30 de abril: Gabito Ballesteros y Neton Vega
- 2 de mayo: Christian Nodal
- 3 de mayo: Edén Muñoz
- 4 de mayo: Jorge Medina and Josi Cuen
- 7 de mayo: Matute
- 9 de mayo: Carin León
- 10 de mayo: Lucero and Mijares
This year’s Feria de Puebla appears poised for an enthusiastic launch, offering a broad spectrum of musical entertainment despite the controversies surfacing within the regional music scene.
The fallout from Gerardo Ortiz's legal battles serves as a reminder of the intricate relationships that can exist within the entertainment industry and the impacts of external factors like organized crime. While Ortiz's musical contributions were once celebrated, the dilemma has shifted public perception, amplifying important discussions about accountability in the music industry.
As the Feria de Puebla approaches, it encapsulates the resilience of cultural celebrations in the face of adversity, highlighting how community and culture can prevail even amid controversy.
