BROWNSVILLE, Texas - It took longer than expected to name the 2026 Mr. Amigo but it’s now official.
Mexican singer Alex Fernández, Jr., is this year’s honoree of the annual Charro Days festivities that began in 1938 to strengthen the cultural ties between Mexico and the United States via the sister cities of Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico.
The 32 years old ranchera and pop singer is the grandson of Vicente Fernández, who was named Mr. Amigo 1977.
Michelle Pompa-Fernández, president of the Mr. Amigo Association, made the announcement Thursday night at the Santa Fe Events Center in Brownsville.
She unveiled a picture of Fernández that was covered with a red blanket, saying the new Mr. Amigo couldn’t make it as he had a previous commitment.
Nevertheless, the announcement drew the applause of the several hundred people invited to an event that featured a mariachi group and folkloric dancers.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr., said it was a pleasure to welcome Mr. Amigo.
“This is not just history,” he said, “but also a future shared between two countries and two cultures.”
Mary Virginia Hantsch, the U.S. consul general in Matamoros, said the good relationship between the two countries today is producing tangible results in the areas of economy, immigration and others.
Judith Arrieta, the Mexican consul in Brownsville, described the festivities and the friendship between the two cities as one-of-a-kind along the nearly 2,000 miles stretch from here to San Diego, Calif.
She also mentioned the bliss that she felt that she, her U.S. colleague and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are women.
The naming of the Mr. Amigo began in 1964, becoming a highlight of the Charro Days fiesta as the honoree acts as ambassador during the festivities.
Previous Mr. Amigos, included Veronica Castro, Jose Jose, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Mario Moreno ”Cantinflas,” Armando Manzanero and Cesar Costa, among many others.
