López Obrador raises flag at half-mast in Mexico City’s zócalo for earthquake victims

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador led the hoisting of the flag at half-mast in Mexico City’s Zócalo on September 19, 2023, in memory of the victims of the magnitude 8.1 earthquakes in 1985 and the 7.1 earthquake in 2017.

Accompanied by officials from his cabinet, President López Obrador witnessed the flag-raising ceremony as a sign of mourning for the devastating earthquakes that occurred on this day in the years 1985 and 2017, leaving hundreds of victims and displaced individuals.

At precisely 7:15 a.m., the President left the National Palace, accompanied by various officials and the Mayor of Mexico City, Martí Batres, to lead the ceremony in the Constitution Square.

During the hoisting, the band and choir of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) performed the National Anthem. Upon completion, the Army’s honor guard played the military silence as a symbol of respect for the earthquake victims, followed by the singing of the National Anthem to conclude the ceremony.

President López Obrador was joined by members of his cabinet during the flag-raising ceremony. (Eduardo Jiménez)

During the ceremony, President López Obrador was accompanied by the Secretary of National Defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval; the Secretary of the Navy, Rafael Ojeda Durán; the Secretary of Security, Rosa Icela Rodríguez; the Secretary of the Interior, Luisa María Alcalde; the General Commissioner of the National Guard, David Córdova Campos.

Also present were the National Coordinator of Civil Protection, Laura Velázquez Alzúa, and the National President of the Mexican Red Cross, Carlos Freaner Figueroa.

TYT Newsroom