On the afternoon of August 19, 2025, Ernesto Barajas, vocalist, producer and founder of the Mexican regional group Enigma Norteño, was murdered in the Arenales Tapatíos neighborhood in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Jalisco.
According to media outlets such as SDPnoticias, Infobae and Posta, the attack occurred while he was inside a car dealership, at which point two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire on him and two companions; one of them also died, while a woman was wounded.
So far, local authorities have confirmed that an investigation has been opened, but no one has been arrested and no official information about the assailants has been released.
This tragedy takes on a more serious tone if one considers that in July 2023, Ernesto had already been the target of a narcomanta signed by the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG).
The message warned him not to perform in events in Baja California, which led him to cancel a concert at the Rosarito Fair on the recommendation of authorities.
The tragedy of Ernesto Barajas, by Enigma Norteño
Originally from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Barajas founded Enigma Norteño in 2004, leading it to stand out in the regional Mexican scene in both Mexico and the U.S. with hits such as Mayito Gordo, Los lujos del R, Quemándose un Gallito (El Rambo), Chavo Félix and El Ondeado; songs that positioned him as a strong voice of the genre, although they often exposed him to the eye of organized crime..
In addition, Barajas combined his musical role with that of a cultural entrepreneur and made custom compositions of narcocorridos, noting that these required prior approval.
In 2025, it shared that it had doubled its rates for such assignments.
Ernesto Barajas, a key figure in Mexican regional music as leader of Enigma Norteño, was murdered on August 19, 2025 in Guadalajara in an armed attack prior to a car boarding house.
Although he had faced threats from the CJNG since 2023, his murder warns of the real danger faced by corrido artists.
The lack of immediate justice and official silence reinforces the emotional impact on his Latino fans, especially in the U.S.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
