Day 715 — Sheinbaum Leads Civic-Military Parade for 216th Independence Anniversary; 15,458 Troops, 99 Aircraft Fly Over Zócalo for First Time

On September 16, 2026 (Day 715), President Sheinbaum, as commander-in-chief, led the civic-military parade marking the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence, reviewing the Armed Forces from the Zócalo before the terrestrial column advanced along the parade route to Campo Marte. The Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard deployed 15,458 personnel, organized into six contingents — Justicia y Paz, Centinelas de la Nación, Crisol de Patriotas, Desarrollo Nacional, Fraternidad Solidaria and Raíces de Honor — alongside roughly 400 horses, 142 military working dogs and 26 eagles. For the first time in the parade's history, 99 aircraft flew simultaneously over the Plaza de la Constitución, including 45 tactical drones making their public debut, 5 Texan T-6C planes and 3 Naval Aviation MI-17 helicopters marking that branch's centennial; new SARAF Balam remote-fire-control armored vehicles and DN-XI units were also shown publicly for the first time. Sheinbaum used the occasion to again underscore Mexico's sovereignty and independence, days after the record-breaking Zócalo turnout at her September 15 Grito de Independencia address. No mañanera was held on September 15–16 for the Independence Day holiday; she was scheduled to resume the daily press conference on September 17.