León Larregui’s Twitter Account Disappears After Spreading Misinformation About the COVID-19 Vaccines

Yesterday afternoon (Jan. 26), the Twitter account of Mexican rockstar León Larregui disappeared for hours after spreading disinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. The Zoé frontman took an anti-vaxxing stance previously mirrored by the likes of Miguel Bosé and Mexican actress Paty Navidad, claiming that the coronavirus vaccines are a new form of control.

Less than ten minutes later, the “This account doesn’t exist” message appeared.

“Don’t get vaccinated. There are treatments. CRISPR isn’t safe yet, it’s an implant on the DNA that will make you dependent on upgrades from the pharmaceutical empire, the new side of control, from Roma! They will threaten me or make up things about me… but it’s the truth,” his now-deleted tweet reads.

Twitter began implementing its COVID-19 Misleading Information Policy in late 2020 to prevent the sharing of false or misleading information about the virus that could lead to harm. But some Twitter users were quick to point out that Larregui’s account didn’t appear as “suspended”–as, let’s say, Trump’s–which might mean he himself of someone from his team actually deactivated it, instead of Twitter.

Of course, Mexican Twitter is now flooded with memes and jokes, many comparing him to Navidad, who also infamously got her account suspended earlier this year after making similar claims.

Spanish singer Enrique Bunbury is one of the few people who has defended Larregui’s tweet, calling the account block a “freedom of speech violation,” even though it isn’t confirmed that Twitter actually suspended the account.

Larregui’s account has now been restored and it’s back up, and the singer isn’t still done with the topic, as he’s currently engaging with users and retweeting information about alternatives to the COVID-19 vaccines.

“My body, my choice… Yes, but not for that we’re going to promote anti-vaxxing campaigns. History has taught us that vaccines save lives and eradicate diseases,” replied Twitter user @MaarcoGlez, after Larregui used the pro-choice slogan to justify his position. Maybe non-coincidentally, Zoé are dropping their new single tomorrow, so there’s that.