Rodrigo y Gabriela criticise US visa policy

Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have criticised the decision to deny their entry into the US, calling the ruling "frustrating".

The duo were forced to cancel a string of appearances after band member Rodrigo Sanchez's application to renew his visa was refused by the US State Department because his name was similar to that of a wanted criminal.

Sanchez has urged the American government to sort out the situation after learning similar incidents have plagued other bands' entry into the country.

He says: "I feel frustrated because we wanted to play to our fans in the States, we have had a great response from them and from the media too.

"I have met other musicians from different parts of the world that have, unfortunately, been through the same situation when they were about to start their tour in the States.

"This is nothing to do with being Latin, or Arab, or whatever. These are internal security measure issues that have to be resolved by Americans themselves."