How Valentín Elizalde, the Golden Rooster, Met His Tragic End (2024)

Valentín Elizalde was a popular regional Mexican singer who was nicknamed “El Gallo de Oro” (The Golden Rooster) for his off-key style and his catchy songs. He had a successful musical career that spanned from 1998 to 2006, when he was brutally murdered by gunmen after a concert in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. What was the cause of his death and what led to his assassination? This article will explore the facts and the theories behind this tragic event.

The Life and Career of Valentín Elizalde

Valentín Elizalde was born on February 1, 1979, in Jitonhueca, a village near the city of Etchojoa, Sonora. He moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, and later to Guasave, Sinaloa, where he lived with his father, Everardo “Lalo” Elizalde, also a singer, and his brothers. His father died in a car accident in 2002, which motivated Valentín to pursue his musical dreams.

He started his career in 1998 with the album “Amor que Muere” and soon gained popularity with his songs that ranged from romantic ballads to narcocorridos, a genre that narrates the stories of drug lords and their exploits. Some of his biggest hits included: “Vete Ya,” “Ebrio de Amor”, “Vete Con Él”, “Vuelve Cariñito”, “Cómo Me Duele”, “Vencedor”, “Mi Virgencita”, and “Soy Así”. He was nominated posthumously for the Grammy Awards in 2007.

The Murder of Valentín Elizalde

On November 25, 2006, Elizalde performed at a local fair in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, a city that was plagued by violence and drug trafficking. After the concert, he left the venue in his SUV, accompanied by his driver, his assistant, and his cousin. As they were driving on the highway, they were ambushed by a group of armed men who opened fire on their vehicle. Elizalde, his driver, and his assistant were killed instantly, while his cousin survived with serious injuries.

According to the autopsy report, Elizalde was shot at least eight times, with the fatal shots hitting his head and chest. He also had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system. His body was taken to a local morgue, where it was filmed and leaked to the internet, causing outrage and controversy.

The Motive Behind the Assassination

The motive behind the assassination of Elizalde remains unclear, but there are several theories that have been proposed. One of the most widely believed theories is that he was killed for his concert performance of the song “A Mis Enemigos”, which contains lyrics that are believed to antagonize the drug trafficking gang Los Zetas, which at that time served as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel. According to this theory, Elizalde was warned not to sing this song in Reynosa, but he ignored the threat and sang it anyway, provoking the wrath of the Zetas.

Another theory is that he was killed for his alleged involvement with the rival Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. According to this theory, Elizalde was a friend and a supporter of the Sinaloa Cartel, and he even dedicated some of his songs to them. He was also rumored to have had an affair with the wife of a Zeta leader, which added to the animosity between the two groups.

A third theory is that he was killed for personal reasons, such as a love triangle, a betrayal, or a debt. According to this theory, Elizalde had enemies in his personal life who wanted to get rid of him for various reasons. He was also known to have a lavish and reckless lifestyle, which could have led him to trouble.

The Legacy of Valentín Elizalde

Despite his tragic death, Valentín Elizalde remains one of the most influential and beloved regional Mexican singers of all time. His songs are still played and enjoyed by millions of fans, and his life and death have inspired several books, documentaries, movies, and TV shows. He is also remembered as a generous and humble person who helped many people in need.

Valentín Elizalde was a star who shone brightly, but was extinguished too soon. His cause of death was a gunshot wound, but his legacy lives on. He was the Golden Rooster, and he will never be forgotten.