Juanes defended himself against criticism for performing songs by Diomedes Díaz

Netflix's documentary 'Diomedes: The Idol, the Mystery and the Tragedy' has given much to talk about the most renowned vallenato artist in Colombia; especially as it deals with the production on the death of Doris Adriana Niño. After watching the report, Carolina Urrutia Vásquez, Bogotá's Secretary of Environment, concluded that Diomedes Díaz was the “murderer or accomplice” in the death of her fan and, at the same time, condemned Juanes for including a famous vallenato song performed by Diaz on her album 'Origen'.

While the documentary available for a few weeks on the streaming platform continues to generate discomfort among fans of 'El Cacique de la Junta', Juanes' album 'Origen' won the Grammy for Best Alternative Latin Music Album. It should be remembered that in this record work the artist performed songs by 12 artists, such as Fito Páez, Bob Marley and Carlos Gardel, who, he says, have accompanied him throughout his life and career.

Among the songs that Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, better known as Juanes, included in this musical work is 'Without Measuring Distances', a song originally composed by Gustavo Gutiérrez, but which over the years has been attributed to the Chief, since its performance has been the most listened to.

However, it seems that the capital's Secretary of Environment was not aware of the true history of this song and, like many other people, she believes it is from Diomedes and, therefore, Juanes' reinterpretation of the song assumes it as a tribute to the singer. For Urrutia, Diomedes Díaz would not deserve recognition from the artist Paisa, after what, according to her, the documentary reveals.

In a trill Carolina Urrutia pointed out that she saw the report on Diomedes and the death of Doris Adriana Niño, but “when I heard Juanes throw flowers on the murderer (he included one of his songs on the album with which he won the Grammy) I was very impressed. The discussion of the artist vs his work is very difficult but impossible to 'admire' the murderous artist (minimum accomplice)”.

The triune of the mayor's official generated discomfort among fans of vallenato music, Diomedes Díaz and Juanes himself. In general, the responses to Urrutia describe it as “irresponsible” for the Secretary of Environment to make such “serious” statements and statements publicly; in addition, they condemn her for not knowing who originally composed 'No Measuring Distances'.

“Better to find out before going out to talk nonsense and look for 15 minutes of fame on a social network. That song was sung until Rikarena and was not composed by Diomedes”; “I respect your point dearly, but all human beings have lights and shadows, our mistake is to judge. Of course, it is possible to admire part of the person's lights even if their shadows are not understood”; “Gustavo Gutiérrez Cabello, composer of Without Measuring Distances, is undoubtedly one of the greatest musician poets in Colombia. Juanes pays a well-deserved tribute to him and to the vallenato”, were some of the answers Urrutia received.

While some explained to the official that Juanes' tribute was not to Diomedes, since that song was not composed by him. The followers of the 'Cacique' also came to his triune to point out that she, after watching a documentary, could not point to the artist as a “murderer or accomplice”, when neither did justice establish him.

The subject did not end there, because the artist Paisa also saw the triune of the official of the mayor's office of Bogotá and decided to answer her. Juanes clarified that his tribute was to Valledupar and his people, and that for him it has been an important song since his childhood.

In addition, it should be noted that Juanes performed 'Without Measuring Distances' in his own style. Although Gustavo Gutiérrez's composition is important to the story of the artist paisa, in his official video Juanes also paid tribute to The Beatles, thus being one of the combinations of rock and vallenato that surprised the most on his album.

Carolina Urrutia, for her part, acknowledged her mistake and pointed out that she had misunderstood the information in an interview with the paisa. “To you and your followers my apologies and to you my admiration,” concluded the Secretary of Environment. However, in networks it is still questioned whether there is no sanction for an official of the Mayor's Office for making this type of publication.

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