Antibalas literally means "bulletproof," combining the prefix anti- (against) with balas (bullets). It's a powerful and uncommon word to find in a song.
In "De Una Vez," Selena Gomez uses it as a striking metaphor for emotional resilience. She sings, "ahora este pecho es antibalas" (now this chest is bulletproof), to declare that she's healed from a past love and her heart is now invulnerable to that pain.
This is Selena Gomez's anthem for anyone who has come out the other side of a bad breakup feeling brand new. She's not just over it, she's completely healed. She says the wound from a past love "sanó" (healed) and now she's "más fuerte sola" (stronger alone). It's a powerful statement about finding your own strength after a relationship that held you back. She even says her time with this person "cortó mis alas" (cut my wings), but now her chest is "antibalas" (bulletproof). What a great image for resilience!
She makes it clear this isn't about getting revenge or even making her ex feel bad. It's about her own journey. She declares, "No te tengo a ti, me tengo a mí" (I don't have you, I have me), which is all about self-love and independence. And just in case he thinks she might come back, she delivers the ultimate shutdown line: "Cuando se seque el último mar / Es cuando pensaré en regresar" (When the last sea dries up / is when I'll think about coming back). Basically, it's never going to happen. This song is a beautiful celebration of healing and rediscovering yourself.