He was captured by federal troops under General Eulogio Ortiz and executed by hanging from a cedar tree located in Valparaíso, Zacatecas.
The corrido has various versions; the original depicted Ávila revealing the names of his fellow rebels, but the lyrics were later changed to show that he had not betrayed his comrades.
[2] The corrido became popular among soldiers in the Mexican Army which helped to spread it beyond the Sierra Madre Occidental.
During the 1970s Chicano Movement, "Valentín de la Sierra" was popular with activists and was often sung at protests.
[5] The song features prominently in the play "Guadalupe" performed by the Latino theater troupe El Teatro de la Esperanza.