Latest news with #Mondragon
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Agushto Papá' challenges música Mexicana artists to speak up on immigration raids
As looming fear over ongoing ICE raids in the greater Los Angeles area continues, one group of music enthusiasts is using their platform to call out for more visibility and support from famed artists — underscoring tense conversations about influence in the Latino music scene. Since 2021, the "Agushto Papá" podcast — founded and hosted by Jason Nuñez, Diego Mondragon and Angel Lopez— has played a key role in chronicling the rise of música Mexicana by giving up-and-coming artists a platform to showcase their talent and personalities. Popular genre acts like Xavi, Eslabon Armado, Becky G, DannyLux, Ivan Cornejo and more have appeared on their YouTube channel, which has amassed over 635,000 subscribers to date. However, on Monday, the trio strayed away from their standard entertainment content, uploading an Instagram reel reflecting disappointment over ICE sweeps, which have targeted communities of Paramount, Huntington Park, Santa Ana and other predominantly Latino communities. 'It's super unfortunate to see what's happening within our Latino community,' Nuñez states in the clip. 'I think it's very important that we stay united and spread as much awareness as possible.' The video initially highlighted efforts by Del Records, who are providing free legal assistance to members of the community who are facing deportation orders; earlier this year, the Bell Gardens label was caught in a web of guilty court verdicts due to their links to cartels. Still, the label is one of the few Latino-led music entities outspoken about providing resources for affected individuals, 'but I definitely think they shouldn't be the only ones,' added Nuñez in the video. Podcast co-host Lopez prompted viewers to tag their favorite artist in the comment section if they would like for them to speak up, he said, 'I think it's fair and just that [artists] show some of that love back to the community that's in need and that is hurting.' 'I think that [artists] do play a big role because I think we see them as role models or leaders in our community,' said Lopez in a Tuesday interview with The Times. 'These are times when we need those leaders to speak up and for us and people that maybe can't speak up as well.' The topic of immigration hits close to home for two of the members; Nuñez and Mondragon are both DACA recipients and openly discuss their unique experience on the podcast. The Obama-era program, which provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization, has also come under attack in recent years by Trump-appointed judges and is currently recognized as unlawful by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, although application renewals remain. 'I feel betrayed because with ["Agushto Papá"], we have a lot of artists and companies and labels reach out to us to promote albums, tours,' said Mondragon. 'We've actually reached out to some of these companies [and] they've been ignoring us.' While Mondragon won't disclose names, he says that many individuals have not spoken out because, "their artists are not born in the U.S." To that he quips, "We don't have papers as well, and we're still using our platform." There's a sense of betrayal, the group says, especially given how various artists and labels came out to support Californians during the January wildfires, 'but now when it comes down to bringing awareness to things that are happening to their people, it's just unfair that they're keeping quiet,' says Nuñez. Still, the "Agushto Papá" podcast is not alone in this sentiment; if you scroll across the comment sections of trending música Mexicana acts, you'll likely come across comments asking them why they're staying silent about recent sweeps, which immigration-leaders say have totaled at least 300 people. 'I think my big let down is that these companies/artists are vocal about their culture, their heritage, their ethnicity every chance they get, but now I feel like they're picking and choosing only when it matters,' said Lopez. In days following public demonstrations and protests, several Mexican American artists have vocalized their support of the immigrant communities including big acts like Ivan Cornejo, Becky G, and Chiquis. On Tuesday, the boisterous San Bernardino band Fuerza Regida, uploaded a statement to their 9.1 million followers, sharing support for the Latino community. The podcast trio later thanked in a follow-up video. "There's still a lot of artists that are staying silent and we hope by this week they speak out about what's going on," states Mondragon in the video, urging artists to spread awareness, or perhaps, if they're bold, front a portion of their millions to the community, even if it means opting for first class instead of their private jet, he says. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Agushto Papá' challenges música Mexicana artists to speak up on immigration raids
As looming fear over ongoing ICE raids in the greater Los Angeles area continues, one group of music enthusiasts is using their platform to call out for more visibility and support from famed artists — underscoring tense conversations about influence in the Latino music scene. Since 2021, the 'Agushto Papá' podcast — founded and hosted by Jason Nuñez, Diego Mondragon and Angel Lopez— has played a key role in chronicling the rise of música Mexicana by giving up-and-coming artists a platform to showcase their talent and personalities. Popular genre acts like Xavi, Eslabon Armado, Becky G, DannyLux, Ivan Cornejo and more have appeared on their YouTube channel, which has amassed over 635,000 subscribers to date. However, on Monday, the trio strayed away from their standard entertainment content, uploading an Instagram reel reflecting disappointment over ICE sweeps, which have targeted communities of Paramount, Huntington Park, Santa Ana and other predominantly Latino communities. 'It's super unfortunate to see what's happening within our Latino community,' Nuñez states in the clip. 'I think it's very important that we stay united and spread as much awareness as possible.' The video initially highlighted efforts by Del Records, who are providing free legal assistance to members of the community who are facing deportation orders; earlier this year, the Bell Gardens label was caught in a web of guilty court verdicts due to their links to cartels. Still, the label is one of the few Latino-led music entities outspoken about providing resources for affected individuals, 'but I definitely think they shouldn't be the only ones,' added Nuñez in the video. Podcast co-host Lopez prompted viewers to tag their favorite artist in the comment section if they would like for them to speak up, he said, 'I think it's fair and just that [artists] show some of that love back to the community that's in need and that is hurting.' 'I think that [artists] do play a big role because I think we see them as role models or leaders in our community,' said Lopez in a Tuesday interview with The Times. 'These are times when we need those leaders to speak up and for us and people that maybe can't speak up as well.' The topic of immigration hits close to home for two of the members; Nuñez and Mondragon are both DACA recipients and openly discuss their unique experience on the podcast. The Obama-era program, which provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization, has also come under attack in recent years by Trump-appointed judges and is currently recognized as unlawful by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, although application renewals remain. 'I feel betrayed because with ['Agushto Papá'], we have a lot of artists and companies and labels reach out to us to promote albums, tours,' said Mondragon. 'We've actually reached out to some of these companies [and] they've been ignoring us.' While Mondragon won't disclose names, he says that many individuals have not spoken out because, 'their artists are not born in the U.S.' To that he quips, 'We don't have papers as well, and we're still using our platform.' There's a sense of betrayal, the group says, especially given how various artists and labels came out to support Californians during the January wildfires, 'but now when it comes down to bringing awareness to things that are happening to their people, it's just unfair that they're keeping quiet,' says Nuñez. Still, the 'Agushto Papá' podcast is not alone in this sentiment; if you scroll across the comment sections of trending música Mexicana acts, you'll likely come across comments asking them why they're staying silent about recent sweeps, which immigration-leaders say have totaled at least 300 people. 'I think my big let down is that these companies/artists are vocal about their culture, their heritage, their ethnicity every chance they get, but now I feel like they're picking and choosing only when it matters,' said Lopez. In days following public demonstrations and protests, several Mexican American artists have vocalized their support of the immigrant communities including big acts like Ivan Cornejo, Becky G, and Chiquis. On Tuesday, the boisterous San Bernardino band Fuerza Regida, uploaded a statement to their 9.1 million followers, sharing support for the Latino community. The podcast trio later thanked in a follow-up video. 'There's still a lot of artists that are staying silent and we hope by this week they speak out about what's going on,' states Mondragon in the video, urging artists to spread awareness, or perhaps, if they're bold, front a portion of their millions to the community, even if it means opting for first class instead of their private jet, he says.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Witness shares experience of helping shooting victim in Las Cruces
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – A Las Cruces man is sharing his experience as a deadly shooting played out before his eyes, and how he tried to help. That man happened to stop at Young Park, where people were gathered for a car meet, but it wasn't long before gunshots were fired. Story continues below Crime: Video – Stolen vehicle driver totals APD vehicle in crash with officer NM Film: 'Rust' trailer released more than three years after fatal on-set shooting Sports: Rio Rancho fires boys basketball coach after 16 years It was late Friday night on March 21 at Young Park in Las Cruces when sounds of gunshots erupted during an unsanctioned car meet. 'I was only there for less than 10 minutes when the shooting happened, I just heard gunshots and everybody running,' said Toby Mondragon. He initially was out for a drive to get some food and decided to stop and check out the car meet. 'When the shots first happened, I thought they were just cars revving their engine to backfire, but then I just saw a lot of people running away,' said Mondragon. Mondragon said that in the midst of the chaos, he saw 19-year-old Dominick Estrada wounded on the ground and rushed over to help. 'Honestly, I think just in that moment, I just went over there, saw him on the ground just bleeding, so I just try to do the best that I could,' said Mondragon. He works at a local hospital as an ICU and ER tech and said Estrada didn't have a pulse, so he called 911 and started performing CPR until first responders got there. Estrada, along with 16-year-old Andrew Madrid and 18-year-old Jason Gomez, were killed, and dozens of others were injured. Mondragon said it was especially hard to see this happen to someone so young. 'That's the one thing that bothered me because he was still young. 19, about to start his life, and then out of the blue it was taken away,' said Mondragon. He said he has great appreciation for the first responders and a message for Estrada's family. 'I'm sorry for your loss, hopefully we get justice for what happened,' said Mondragon. Meanwhile, all four suspects in the shooting will remain locked up until trial. In a motion filed Wednesday, 20-year-old Tomas Rivas waived his pretrial detention hearing and agreed to be detained. The juveniles are two 17-year-old boys and one 15-year-old boy. They have not been publicly identified. All four suspects are facing three counts of murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Two men charged with molesting a teen on a Royal Caribbean cruise bound for PortMiami
Two men in their 30s are accused of raping a 14-year-old boy in a sauna on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship headed for PortMiami. Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, Jose Juan Prudencio Diaz, 36, were arrested Friday, the day after the alleged sexual assault on the Independence of the Seas. Mondragon and Prudencio Diaz live in the same modern Mexico City apartment building, according to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. As the criminal case finishes, they're both being held at the Miami-Dade Metro West Detention Center. Mondragon was granted no bond on charges of sexual battery of a minor; lewd and lascivious exhibition by an adult on a minor under 16; and lewd and lascivious molestation on a child aged 12 to 16. Diaz faces the same lewd and lascvious charges — no bond on those — and a charge of not informing another person in a sexual act of his HIV status. Each has pleaded not guilty to all charges. As a result of their charges, both have holds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed on them. The arrest paperwork reveals the 14-year-old was in the sauna on Thursday when Mondragon and Prudencio sexually abused the boy. 'We take these allegations very seriously and immediately notified local law enforcement,' a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson emailed. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we have nothing further to share at this time.'
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Miami Herald
26-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Two passengers are charged with molesting a teen on a cruise ship bound for PortMiami
Two men in their 30s are accused of raping a 14-year-old boy in a sauna on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship headed for PortMiami. Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, Jose Juan Prudencio Diaz, 36, were arrested Friday, the day after the alleged sexual assault on the Independence of the Seas. Mondragon and Prudencio Diaz live in the same modern Mexico City apartment building, according to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. As the criminal case finishes, they're both being held at the Miami-Dade Metro West Detention Center. Mondragon was granted no bond on charges of sexual battery of a minor; lewd and lascivious exhibition by an adult on a minor under 16; and lewd and lascivious molestation on a child aged 12 to 16. Diaz faces the same lewd and lascvious charges — no bond on those — and a charge of not informing another person in a sexual act of his HIV status. Each has pleaded not guilty to all charges. As a result of their charges, both have holds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed on them. The arrest paperwork reveals the 14-year-old was in the sauna on Thursday when Mondragon and Prudencio sexually abused the boy. 'We take these allegations very seriously and immediately notified local law enforcement,' a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson emailed. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we have nothing further to share at this time.'
