The song was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin on January 23, 2020 as the second single from the extended play.

Martin started recording his eleventh studio album, initially titled Movimiento, in the second half of 2019, inspired by the 2019 political protests in Puerto Rico.

[3] On December 23, 2019, El Nuevo Día revealed the single's name in an article and mentioned that it is a ballad song set for release in January.

[4] On December 24, coinciding with his 48th birthday, Martin shared three photos from the music video on Instagram and confirmed that "Tiburones" would be released in early 2020.

[5] Nine days later, in an interview with Metro Puerto Rico, Martin told the newspaper about the song: "It's a very unique ballad that has never been heard before."

[8] Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent personal experiences, Martin decided to split the album Movimiento into the two EPs Pausa and Play.

[14][15] Musically, "Tiburones" is a Spanish language ballad and Latin pop song,[16][17] written by Mexican singer-songwriter Pablo Preciado and his Venezuelan co-writer Oscar Hernandez.

[18] The song runs for a total of 3 minutes and 14 seconds,[8] and features a very slow and calm rhythm that moves away from it in great strides.

[22] Hernandez described the song as "very emotional", and told Billboard about the lyrics, saying it "talks about the union of two who should never waste time in fights", going on to call it "a proposal to change directions, plans and ideas, with the simple reason of moving forward, together.

"[20] Also, Martin told L'Officiel Hommes about it: "This song is a metaphor about the frustration of my people, describing the things we would be willing to do to be together, to survive, we might even think about swimming allegorically with the tiburones, aka sharks.

[20] Umberto Antonio Olivo from Periodico Daily described the song as an "exciting piece whose lyrics openly take sides against all forms of war and violence".

[24] Josh Mendez from Monitor Latino labeled it "a great pop ballad with a beautiful and at the same time impressive message".

[25] Writing for Start Up Mexico Magazine, Azenet Folch praised "Tiburones", saying: "This is a beautiful ballad with a clear message of love, togetherness and, most of all, acceptance.

The lyrics and melody are deeply connected by the artist's interpretation with that unmistakable vocal stamp that maintains him as one of the most important stars in the musical field.

[28] Los 40's Laura Coca gave it a positive review, saying it is "a ballad with a message of love that serves as a denouncement against hatred that ends up separating people".

[43][45] Besides the United States, "Tiburones" reached number one in Puerto Rico for three consecutive weeks,[46][47][48] and became the first solo song ever to top the country's year-end chart.

[49][50][51] It also reached number one in Argentina,[52] and peaked in the top 10 of Chile,[53] Costa Rica,[54] Ecuador,[55] El Salvador,[56] Mexico,[57] Panama,[58] Paraguay,[59] and Uruguay.

[66][67] The clip shows Martin wearing a black singlet walking in front of an armored vehicle, while police in riot gear confront apparent citizen protests.

"[68] The music video features diversity in sexual orientations,[69] and the green scarf around the actress' neck symbolizes the fight for women's rights to have abortions.

[72] "Tiburones" was included on Martin's the Movimiento Tour, which began at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 7, 2020.

[75][76] Ricky Martin also performed "Tiburones" along with his other hits during the 61st Viña del Mar International Song Festival on February 23, 2020.

[82] Argentine duo MYA recorded an acoustic cover version of the song, sharing its video with their followers via Instagram on April 11, 2020.

I'm so happy to share this beautiful song with you that motivates people to put their hands up and leave violence behind and to hug each other during difficult times.

[89] After he could not participate in "Tiburones", Ozuna told El Break de las 7 that he did not lose faith of making a musical collaboration with Martin.