Sheinbaum Closes National Tour at Zocalo, Defends Sovereignty

President Claudia Sheinbaum concluded her "Honesty and Results" national accountability tour on September 27 at Mexico City's Zocalo, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1821 consummation of independence. Official figures cited by the presidency estimated 200,000 attendees at the final rally, while Sheinbaum stated nearly 850,000 people participated across the 32-state tour over 12 days.

In her address, Sheinbaum declared that no foreign power or economic elite has the right to dictate Mexico's future, asserting that sovereignty resides exclusively with the people. She linked this principle to the Fourth Transformation's constitutional reforms, citing the reversal of neoliberal policies on education, health, housing, and labor rights.

“No foreign power, no economic or political elite has the right to dictate the present and future of our homeland; that belongs only to the people of Mexico.”

The event featured the president's cabinet, including Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez and Defense and Navy chiefs, alongside Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. Governors were notably absent, as the presidency described the gathering as a capital-specific convocation rather than a national one.

Social media criticism erupted over alleged "acarreados" — attendees transported by hundreds of buses and vans — with users and analysts like Mario Di Costanzo comparing the mobilization to practices historically condemned by Morena. Posts also reported significant traffic disruptions across the city center.

Sheinbaum announced a 70.258 billion peso investment in Mexico City welfare programs for 2026, targeting 3 million beneficiaries. The figure includes 1.37 million senior pension recipients, 321,684 women's pension beneficiaries, and nearly 935,000 people accessing subsidized milk.