Spanish flamenco singer Diego ‘El Cigala’ has been sentenced to two years and one month in prison for physical and psychological abuse against his ex-wife, flamenco singer Kina Méndez.
Spanish flamenco singer Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar, known artistically as Diego ‘El Cigala’, has been sentenced to two years and one month in prison for sustained physical and psychological abuse towards his ex-wife, flamenco singer Kina Méndez. The verdict was issued by the Court of Jerez de la Frontera, which also imposed a 25-day permanent home confinement and a restraining order, forbidding the artist from approaching or communicating with the victim within a 200-meter radius for six months.
A relationship marked by abuse
The relationship between El Cigala and Kina Méndez, which began shortly after the singer became a widower following the death of his first wife, Amparo Fernández, was marked by episodes of violence. According to the complaint filed by Kina in 2021, the abuse began in 2017 during her first pregnancy and worsened over time, turning the artist’s tours into a «hell» of insults and humiliations. The sentence considers that the artist committed three crimes of abuse during his time living with Méndez.
Who is Kina Méndez?
Dolores Ruiz Méndez, known as Kina Méndez, hails from a renowned gypsy family in the flamenco world. Before meeting El Cigala, she was building a promising career, recording an album and participating in musical projects. However, she left her life in the United States and her artistic career behind to move to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with the singer. From this union, two children were born, but it also marked the beginning of a hellish experience that led Kina to accuse the artist of abandonment and abuse.
Immediate repercussions on El Cigala’s career
The sentence has had immediate consequences on El Cigala’s career, who is best known for hits like «Lágrimas Negras» and a career spanning over 25 years. Several Spanish cities, including Elche and Murcia, have canceled his scheduled concerts as a sign of rejection towards gender-based violence. Cultural institutions have emphasized that culture should be a space for positive values, incompatible with behaviors that violate human rights.
A history of controversy
El Cigala is no stranger to controversy. In 2014, he was convicted for threatening a flight attendant during a 2003 flight. Despite his accolades, including Grammy awards and platinum records, his history of controversial behavior has overshadowed his artistic legacy. Following the sentence, the City Council of Elche expressed its strong disapproval, and other cities have followed suit, canceling upcoming performances.
A clear message against gender-based violence
The case of Diego ‘El Cigala’ highlights the importance of publicly condemning gender-based violence, especially when it involves public figures with influence. The sentence and the concert cancellations send a clear message about the need to defend women’s rights and eradicate violence in all its forms. Meanwhile, Kina Méndez has expressed her determination to move forward for the sake of her children, maintaining her faith in justice and love as driving forces for change.
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