Former La Bella Luz leader Oscar Custodio demanded that television program America Hoy broadcast private chat messages involving band members, host Janet Barboza revealed on Tuesday.
According to Barboza, Custodio contacted a member of the production team to insist on the release of text conversations between former band member Baruj Ocharan and musician Cesar Sanchez Chavesta. Custodio stated that the show had a moral duty to air the material he had submitted.
Sanchez Chavesta was previously accused of alleged abuse by Naldy Saldaña. The released messages were intended to address ongoing scrutiny surrounding the band management and member roles.
La Bella Luz is a prominent Peruvian cumbia music group known across the country for its ensemble performances. America Hoy is a morning entertainment and news show broadcast on Peruvian television.
When America Hoy aired the exchange, the messages revealed that Ocharan thanked Sanchez Chavesta for his advice and for providing musical opportunities within La Bella Luz. In one specific text, Ocharan described Sanchez Chavesta as a great musical director, indicating that he held an official leadership position within the group.
The revelation directly contradicts previous statements made by Sanchez Chavesta's defense lawyer, who had publicly denied that his client served as the band's musical director.
The text exchange between Ocharan and Sanchez Chavesta took place on July 14, just a few days before Ocharan publicly announced his departure from La Bella Luz.
Show Hosts Question Strategy
Following the broadcast of the messages, show co-host Rebeca Escribens questioned Custodio's decisions and ethics regarding the affair. Escribens noted that if a genuine moral obligation existed, band leadership should have taken immediate action to remove Sanchez Chavesta as soon as Saldaña first alleged harassment.
Escribens added that the audio recordings provided by Custodio ultimately supported the claim that Sanchez Chavesta acted as the group's musical director, directly undermining the defense's position.
Barboza also expressed disappointment with Custodio, criticizing his attempt to use the private chats to damage Ocharan's public reputation. She emphasized that the leaked messages ended up confirming Sanchez Chavesta's official role as musical director rather than absolving the management.
