GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Government officials are most responsible for the pervasive corruption in Mexico, but average citizens contribute to the problem because they are willing to bribe or cheat to avoid penalties, Mana lead singer Fher Olvera said.

“We always talk about corruption in the government and, yes, they (officials) are corrupt, and some of them have enriched themselves a lot. That is wrong, yes,” Olvera told Efe in an interview.

“But, what’s going on with us, the citizens?” he asked. “We are always blaming the government, but we, the citizens, cause a lot of that corruption.”

“First, we elect these government officials. Then, we are always paying a ‘mordida’ (bribe) to avoid facing the consequences of our mistakes,” Olvera said.

Among the recent schemes that have surprised him, the singer mentioned that some people “place a plastic cover on their cars’ tags, making it difficult to see the numbers, and if you drive through a red light, they won’t be able to see who you are.”

“But, what’s going to happen to that person when his car is hit and it’s impossible to identify who did it, or when someone runs over him or his son?” Olvera asked. “This is like a scorpion that bites its own tail. That is what corruption is. You pull a trick and, sooner or later, someone will pull it on you.”

The Mexican band sat down for an interview with Efe as part of the promotional tour for their upcoming album, “Cama incendiada,” which will be released on April 21.