The Armed Forces have presented their weapons before the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, to whom they have sworn loyalty, and have committed their subordination to the democratically elected power. It is a tradition – called Salutation – led by the heads of the Executive once they take office, and which serves to renew civil confidence in the military bodies. Sheinbaum did so two days after her investiture as president and supreme commander of the Armed Forces, in Campo Marte, before the commanders and troops of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the National Guard, the latter converted into military institution with a recent constitutional reform. Sheinbaum has highlighted the popular origin of the Army and its confidence in its “civilian tradition.” “Rest assured that because of our humanist origin, because of the deep respect I have for the Armed Forces, I will never issue any order that violates the constitutional order or the human rights of the people of Mexico,” the president stated.
A shadow loomed across the field that overshadowed the discipline and millimeter formation of the troops, the rhythm of the trumpets and drums, the impeccable coordination when marching and the perfection of the uniforms: the recent shooting murder of six migrants – from Egypt, Peru and El Salvador—at the hands of Army soldiers, in Chiapas. The event occurred on Tuesday night, the same day that Sheinbaum was inaugurated as constitutional president of Mexico. On the morning of this Thursday, in her Mañanera conference, the president deplored the fact and stated: “A situation like this cannot be repeated.” At Campo Marte, hours later, Sheinbaum stood out for the members of the Armed Forces, whom he defined as “humanists.” “The Defense and Navy institutions have a popular origin and this has been maintained to date, and that is not only a source of pride but also a fortune for Mexico,” he stated.
Sheinbaum has defended the reform that transferred the National Guard to the control of the Army, an amendment still promoted by his predecessor in office, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and highly criticized by human rights defense organizations. “For those who criticize that this is militarization, it is totally false. In our country there is no state of exception, there are no violations of human rights,” he assured, even with the tragedy of Chiapas as a backdrop. “What there is is more democracy, more freedoms and the rule of law. Furthermore, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces is elected by popular vote, she is a civilian. Proudly, the Armed Forces have a civilist tradition. This means that they have always honorably and loyally obeyed the civil command, as established by the Constitution,” he explained.
The president and supreme leader has announced that the Government will continue to rely on the Army and the Navy for the construction of strategic infrastructure works, among them, the project to create passenger train routes and to increase the number of ports. “These are and will continue to be times of peaceful exploits of the people of Mexico and its Armed Forces,” he noted. López Obrador was the president who opened the deck of positions in public management beyond security to the Army and Navy, and involved them in the construction of works and the administration of state companies. Sheinbaum has also announced that he has sent to Congress a reform to increase the salary of soldiers, sailors and national guards. “We will do extraordinary things together because we are living in virtuous times, with humanist, visionary and exemplary Armed Forces,” he stated. “Long live the Armed Forces!” he encouraged.
Parity symbols
As it is the first time that Mexico elects a female president, it is also the first time that military institutions have a supreme commander. The Salutation ceremony has not been alien to the feminist symbols that Sheinbaum has imprinted on her management from the first moment. After touring Campo Marte in a military vehicle, among the troop formations, the president stood flanked by the heads of the Defense (Sedena), Ricardo Trevilla, and the Navy (Semar), Raymundo Morales. One by one, the senior commanders of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the National Guard stood before her, gave the martial salute recognizing their hierarchy and left. They were all men.
There was, however, a “section” to show “the representation of women in the Armed Forces.” Likewise, one by one, several women marched up to the president and gave the martial salute. They were a brigadier general, a lieutenant colonel, a first captain, an assistant clerk soldier, an agent, a rear admiral, a ship captain, a lieutenant, a third master and a sailor. Women’s positions were ostensibly of lower hierarchy than those of men.
The Secretary of Defense, Trevilla, has stated that, although more women have joined the military, they are still far from command positions. “We have to take another step forward, creating favorable conditions for them to exercise command of troops at all levels and lead men and women equally in all military activities,” he offered, and assured that This will be a priority of his management at the head of the Army, the National Guard and the Air Force. The head of Semar, Morales, has indicated that it will also give “greater impetus to the gender perspective for substantive equality” and will consolidate “today more than ever the increasingly prominent participation of women” in its ranks.
The heads of Sedena and Semar have highlighted the historic fact of having a woman as their supreme leader for the first time. “The Navy pays honors to our commander, presents its respects and subordination to her, and with this it endorses and reiterates its absolute support for the decision of our people,” Morales stated. “Mexicans have decided to take the reins of our nation, and in a true democracy it is only up to them to enforce the tasks of our country.” […] “The people are not wrong and have expressed their will,” he added. For his part, Trevilla recalled that the current Army emerged from the insurgent movement against the coup d’état that overthrew Francisco I. Madero and marked the birth of the Revolution. “In this new episode of great significance for Mexicans, the military is motivated to address the challenges we have to face with humanism, discipline and courage, a motivation that arises from the great honor we feel at being guided for the first time by a supreme commander. ”, he assured.
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