Sheinbaum Claims Mexican Sovereignty During 'Cry of Independence'

In the context of growing commercial pressures and US interference in security management, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, reclaimed today - during the impressive celebrations of the 'Cry of Independence' - the sovereignty conquered by her country on 16 September 1810.

"Mexico does not bend, it does not kneel and it does not sell itself.

Mexico will never be anyone's colony or protectorate," Sheinbaum said in his speech held in Mexico City's immense Constitution Square - 'El Zocalo' - in front of thousands of citizens and an impressive parade of the Armed Forces.

The president then claimed responsibility for "the indigenous resistance which, over the course of three centuries of colonial rule, defended its own language, culture, its own lifestyle and its own forms of organisation", thus underlining the fact that the independence movements were born "from a real popular rebellion led by a village priest, from the lower clergy, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla".

"It is the responsibility of all generations of Mexicans to honor what was conquered at the cost of human lives, to defend the homeland, safeguard sovereignty and achieve the social justice for which so many gave their lives," he added.

Sheinbaum then concluded his speech by praising - as per protocol - each of the heroes of the homeland, but also including "the indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples" and "our migrant sisters and brothers", and closing with a "Long live free, independent and sovereign Mexico!".