Los Tres Estados

The song 'Los Tres Estados' by Los Comanches de Navojoa narrates the story of Desiderio Burgos, a notorious bandit who operated across the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Sonora. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the desolate borderlands where Burgos began his life of crime, engaging in cattle rustling and opium trafficking. These activities, though illegal, were his chosen professions, and he managed to evade the state judicial authorities, who were unable to capture him despite their efforts.

The narrative intensifies as Roberto Cruz, one of Burgos' primary victims, expresses his frustration and desire to capture and punish the bandit. The song highlights the cat-and-mouse game between Burgos and the authorities, with Burgos continually outsmarting them. However, his luck eventually runs out when Anselmo and Chalito Hurtado capture him in Chihuahua. Despite this, Burgos manages to escape once more, only to return to the three states a year later, where he meets his demise in a deadly ambush.

The song concludes with a sense of grim satisfaction from those affected by Burgos' actions. They inquire about his killer, only to receive a nonchalant response that he was taken down by a hail of bullets. The final lines suggest a celebration of his death, as the affected parties propose a toast to the shots that ended his life. This song encapsulates themes of lawlessness, retribution, and the harsh realities of life in the borderlands, offering a glimpse into the tumultuous world of banditry in Northern Mexico.