Carlos Prieto (born 1937) is a Mexican cellist and writer. He plays a Stradivarius cello named the "Piatti" after Carlo Alfredo Piatti, affectionatelly nicknamed "Chelo Prieto" by the current owner. He is a promoter of contemporary, original classical instrument music by Latin American composers. The Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition is held every two years in Mexico. His son, Carlos Miguel Prieto, is music director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico.