José de Molina

José de Jesús Nuñez Molina (; 2 November 1938–9 July 1998), better known as José de Molina, was a Mexican singer-songwriter, actor, and activist. Known also by the nickname "el Guerillero de la guitarra" (the Guitar Wielding Guerillero), he was the composer of songs such as "Obreros y Patrones", "Marcha de las Madres Latinas", "Se Acabó", amongst others. Spending over 30 years as an artist and composer, he released 11 albums and toured throughout Mexico, Latin America, and Europe.

Early life José de Molina was born on November 2, 1938, in Hermosillo, Sonora. However, some sources note that his exact date of birth is uncertain, and that Molina himself was not entirely sure of it. He was also a survivor of the Tlatelolco Massacre later that year. In 1974, however, after facing some threats by the Federal Security Directorate, Molina decided to go into another self-imposed exile and undertook a brief tour of Puerto Rico. Upon returning to Mexico later that same year, Molina was invited to participate in a gathering at the Rubén Jaramillo Proletarian Colony, a maoist commune established by the United People's Liberation Army of America. In this event, Molina met with Florencio Mendrano, who would convince him to lend his support to the organization. However, after the end of Luis Echeverria's sexenio, due to the legalization of left-wing political parties in 1978, and the amnesties provided to many political prisoners, the hostilities between the Mexican government and the various guerrilla groups started to cease. During this period, Molina received several offers of artistic grants and financial aid from the Mexican government as incentives for him move to Europe. However, Molina refused these offers and accused the government of trying to bribe him. He published all of his albums under his own record label, "Nueva Voz Latinoamericana".

In 2007, on the 9th anniversary of his death, a tribute was paid to him in which family, friends and collaborators of Molina participated. The tribute was held for eight hours, and took place in the auditorium of the Mexican Syndicate of Electricians.

Similarly, in 2013, to mark the 15th anniversary of his death, a tribute concert was held at the Foro Cultural Coyoacanense, featuring artists such as León Chávez Teixeiro, Francisco Barrios "El Mastuerzo", and Tania de Molina (Molina's daughter), amongst others.

In 2024, the Community Education Subsystem in México City renamed one of their centers in the Coyoacán district to "José de Molina". In this center, classes in various disciplines such as computer science, music, and Mexican sign language, among others are offered. A mural depicting José de Molina is also present at the entrance of the building.

While alive, many of Molina's songs had an influence on guerilla movements all throughout Latin America. Even after his death, his songs have continued to been played on some college and national radio stations throughout Mexico. Special radio programs have also since been broadcast in his honor.

Some sources mention that Molina briefly identified with a Maoist label during the 1970s.

(1994) De Chiapas con Amor

Like other albums in José de Molina's discography, "De Chiapas con Amor" comes in two different versions.

The first of these was released in February 1994 by the label “Nueva Voz Latinoamericana”, bearing the catalog number “JS-27” on both the spine of the packaging and the cassette cover. This version is distinct from others (in addition to having color-printed packaging) by the fact that the first track, titled “Corrido al EZLN (La toma de San Cristóbal)”, features a guitar intro absent from other versions of the album. Additionally, this version includes a track titled “Corrido a Zapata”, which is also not found in other versions of the album.

As for the second version, neither the record label nor the release date are known; however, this version is distinct from others (in addition to having a black and white packaging) by the fact that the first track, titled “Corrido al EZLN (La toma de San Cristóbal)”, features an instrumental introduction absent from other versions. Additionally, this version includes a track titled “Che”, which is not found on other versions of the album.