CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM LEADS THE “GRITO DE INDEPENDENCIA” AND CALLS FOR CELEBRATING A FREE AND SOVEREIGN MEXICO

The president presided over the ceremony for the second time from the National Palace and dedicated part of her speech to the heroines and heroes of Independence, as well as to indigenous peoples, Afro-Mexicans, and migrants.

Amid flags, bells, and thousands of voices gathered in the heart of the capital, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo presided over the ceremony marking the 216th anniversary of the Cry of Independence on Tuesday night from the main balcony of the National Palace.

Holding the Mexican flag in her hands, the president stepped out onto the balcony and delivered the traditional speech to the crowd gathered in the capital's Zócalo. The ceremony marked her second Cry of Independence as president of Mexico.

This year's speech included references to various figures from the struggle for independence. Sheinbaum mentioned Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Josefa Ortiz Téllez-Girón, José María Morelos y Pavón, Leona Vicario, Vicente Guerrero, Gertrudis Bocanegra, Guadalupe Victoria, and Antonia Nava, among other heroes and heroines.

After honoring those who participated in the struggle for independence, the president paid tribute to indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities, as well as to Mexican migrants.

The final part of the speech was dedicated to concepts such as the dignity of the Mexican people, freedom, equality, justice, and democracy, concluding with one of the night's central phrases: "Long live Mexico—free, independent, and sovereign!"

After hearing the crowd's response, Sheinbaum waved the national flag from the balcony of the National Palace, accompanied by her husband, Jesús María Tarriba Unger.

The ceremony was part of the national celebrations that took place on September 15 and continued this Wednesday with the Civic-Military Parade marking the 216th anniversary of Mexico's Independence.

With this ceremony, Claudia Sheinbaum once again presided over one of the most iconic events on the Mexican civic calendar, on a night when the history of Independence once again intersected with the voices and symbols of contemporary Mexico.

Written by Jorge Ramón García Venegas for Mazatlántida.

Publication date: September 15, 2026.