A Mexican Artist Sang Some of His Hits. Authorities Stopped the Show, Then Arrested Him.

A concert by the singer Gabito Ballesteros was suspended after he sang songs that supposedly glorify cartel culture. The action has renewed a debate over culture and free speech. Gabito Ballesteros, 27, whose songs have billions of streams, was performing at a fair in Querétaro State in central Mexico when authorities escorted him off the stage.

Before the show, his set list was reviewed and approved by state officials and event organizers, according to a statement issued by the fair. Songs that glorified criminal activities were explicitly excluded, in accordance with state regulations, the fair said. Last year, the state joined several other states and municipalities throughout Mexico that effectively prohibit the public performance of so-called narcocorridos, a version of traditional Mexican ballads that celebrate drug cartels instead of historic events and everyday life.

Violations were punishable with fines or even jail time.