By EFE
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador celebrated Mexico's Independence Day on Saturday by leading a military parade reflecting the growing power he has given to the armed forces.
Flanked by the secretaries of the Navy and National Defense, the president made a car tour with which he crossed the Zocalo of Mexico City, in the middle of the formation of elements of the Armed Forces while a group of planes of the Mexican Air Force "dressed" the sky with tricolor smoke.
Armored vehicles and helicopters participate in the military parade for Mexican independence in Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.Associated Press
After the review pass, the Mexican president took the stage and honored the supreme commander of the Armed Forces with artillery salvos.
A woman parades on September 16, 2023, during the military parade for the independence of Mexico, wearing the traditional clothes worn by the "soldaderas", also known as Adelita, the name given to the women who participated in the Mexican revolution. Associated Press
In his speech, the head of the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), Luis Crescencio Sandoval, thanked the trust that López Obrador had placed in the Armed Forces and the National Guard "to allow us to support all Mexicans with all our capabilities" as was the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other emergencies where they have been present, the official said.
A soldier wears the traditional uniform during the military parade for Mexican independence in the Mexican capital on Sept. 16, 2023.
Sandoval also exalted that the national festivities "unite us" in cultural diversity, in the roots, gastronomy and in thought, and called for strengthening national unity.
"To face any adversity, national unity has to be strengthened, it is proven that we are stronger if we act together, if we promote collective effort, a solidarity trait that has always characterized us as Mexicans," he said.
At the event, which was held to commemorate the 213th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for the Independence of Mexico, Sandoval stressed that the work of the Armed Forces is always "with absolute respect for the law and fundamental rights," putting "at all times" the welfare of the people of Mexico.
Members of Mexican special forces parade in the Zocalo, Mexico City, Sept. 16, 2023.Associated Press
During López Obrador's term, the Armed Forces have not only participated in public security tasks, but have also been architects in the construction of the mega-projects that the Mexican president has promoted, such as the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport and the Olmeca refinery, in Dos Bocas, in the southern state of Tabasco, among others.
Members of the Mexican military dressed in traditional clothing during the parade for that country's independence, in Mexico City, on September 16, 2023.Associated Press
The event was attended by more than 16,000 members of Mexico's Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as elements of the National Guard, a police group created during López Obrador's term.
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Among the novelties of the naval contingent highlighted the presentation of its new canine element, successor of the dog Frida in the rescue team of the Secretariat of the Navy.
Children climb into an armored car in Mexico City's Zocalo, Sept. 16, during celebrations for Mexico's Independence Day.
In addition, for the second consecutive year, students from nautical schools and the Merchant Navy paraded in the naval contingent.
Also participating were 17 foreign delegations from countries considered friends of the Mexican nation: Belize, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, South Korea, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Russia and Uruguay.
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Artillery pieces fire during celebrations for Mexico's Independence Day, in the Zocalo, in the Mexican capital, on Sept. 16, 2023.
The Mexican president was accompanied by his wife, Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, as well as members of his cabinet such as the Secretary of the Interior, Luisa María Alcalde; of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, as well as the head of the Government of Mexico City, Martí Batres, among other officials.
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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, center, during the military parade for Mexican independence, Sept. 16, 2023.
As in the Cry of Independence, representatives of the Judicial and Legislative Branches were not present in the parade, since the president had announced days before that he would not invite representatives of these powers because "we do not have good relations" and accused them of "being against the people."
