President Claudia Sheinbaum has just made history by becoming the first woman to lead a bell-ringing ceremony calling for independence from Spain in 1810 (grito ceremony) - at the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City.
In her speech at the ceremony, Ms. Sheinbaum emphasized national sovereignty, stating that no foreign power decides to replace us.
This is a meaningful message as the US is putting pressure on Mexico to strengthen drug control and border control. Mexico has cooperated by extraditing drug gang-related suspects to the US, but Ms. Sheinbaum insists the steps are for the benefit of Mexico, not forcing them abroad.
Ms. Sheinbaum officially took office in October 2024, becoming the first female president in more than 200 years since Mexico declared independence. She is a member of the Morena Party, previously Mexico City's Mayor and environmental scientist.
She is considered to have a scientific leadership style, based on data and analysis, while especially valuing gender equality and women's rights.
This year's "grito" festival saw the participation of tens of thousands of people at Zocalo Square, the capital of Mexico. Ms. Sheinbaum wore purple clothes - a symbol of the feminism movement - and in the ceremony there were mention of female heroes in the history of Mexico, such as Leona Vicario, to honor the role of women in the independence movement.
Mexico is dealing with a variety of challenges: drug violence remains serious, economic growth is not strong, public debt and high living costs. Meanwhile, Ms. Sheinbaum is also receiving great expectations from the people, especially women and young people, wishing to see many real changes.
