From the central balcony of the National Palace and in front of a huge crowd of celebrants gathered in Mexico City’s central square, President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered the national Cry of Independence (Grito de Independencia) on Tuesday night, the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day.

“Mexicanas, Mexicanos, long live independence!” Sheinbaum declared 216 years after priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the Cry of Dolores (Grito de Dolores) — a call for revolt against Spanish rule.

En el 216 Aniversario del Grito de Independencia, exaltamos a los héroes y heroínas que nos dieron patria, como Antonia Nava.

También destacamos a los pueblos indígenas y afromexicanos, así como a nuestros hermanos y hermanas migrantes. ¡Que viva México libre, independiente y… pic.twitter.com/bJXNXaB43m

— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) September 16, 2026

With the presidential sash draped over her torso, the Mexican flag in her left hand and her husband, Jesús María Tarriba, standing beside her, Sheinbaum issued a total of 21 arengas, or “cries of viva!“, each of which was met with a reciprocal “¡viva!” by those present in the Zócalo and Mexicans across the country.

A selection of Mexico’s independence heroines and heroes, the nation’s Indigenous and Afro-Mexican people and Mexicans living abroad were all wished long life by Sheinbaum, who made history a year ago by becoming the first female president of Mexico to deliver the Grito. In a year in which she has denounced U.S. interference in Mexican affairs, the president also issued an emphatic cry of ¡viva! in defense of Mexican independence and sovereignty.

“Long live Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla! Long live Josefa Ortiz Téllez-Girón! Long live José María Morelos y Pavón! Long live Leona Vicario! Long live Vicente Guerrero! Long live Gertrudis Bocanegra! Long live Guadalupe Victoria! Long live Antonia Nava!” Sheinbaum proclaimed.

“Long live the heroines and heroes who gave us a homeland! Long live the Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples! Long live our migrant sisters and brothers! Long live the dignity of the people of Mexico! Long live freedom! Long live equality! Long live justice! Long live democracy! Long live a free, independent and sovereign Mexico! ¡Viva México!”

Some of the people honored by the president, including Afro-Mexicans and the insurgent Antonia Nava, had never before been included in a national Cry of Independence.

After completing her second Grito, Sheinbaum rang the Campana de Dolores — the same bell that Hidalgo rang 216 years ago in the town of Dolores, Guanajuato — and waved the Mexican flag to the mass of people gathered in the Zócalo. The president received the flag from an escolta (color guard) made of up of six female military cadets.

After the Grito, a fireworks display lit up the sky above the Zócalo, where musical acts including the Grammy Award-winning Texan band Intocable played on Tuesday night.

Among the officials who witnessed Sheinbaum’s second Cry of Independence from National Palace vantage points were Attorney General Ernestina Godoy, Supreme Court Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar, Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla, Navy Minister Raymundo Pedro Morales and Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada.

Governors and mayors also issued Cries of Independence at ceremonies held on Tuesday night in cities and towns across the country.

No incidents reported at Mexico City’s 300,000-strong Independence celebration

The Mexico City government said in a statement that more than 300,000 people attended the Mexican Independence celebration in the Zócalo.

“The event took place peacefully and concluded without any casualties or incidents,” the government said.

“… Coordination between various agencies and the responsible participation of citizens allowed this commemoration to take place in an organized manner and in an environment of harmony,” the government said.

“The event also reflected the support of thousands of people for President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who went to the Zócalo to participate in a day of profound significance for the history and identity of the country, as well as to hear a message to the nation in defense of our independence, dignity, and sovereignty.”

With reports from Reforma and La Jornada