It’s that time of year again! The time when all of the great nation of Mexico dons the colors green, white and red to celebrate Fiestas Patrias, the celebration that marks Mexico’s independence from the Spanish crown. Tradition leads us to focus our eyes on Mexico City’s main square, the Zócalo, each year for said celebration in which the president emerges at midnight on the balcony to deliver the age-old “grito” of “Que viva México!”.

Today, in the midst of (and because of) the political drama that is playing out before the eyes of the people of Mexico, that tradition will change. To non-Mexicans it may not seem like such a big deal, but shock filled the air yesterday when it was announced that the grito will be delivered not in Mexico City’s main plaza, but in the city of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. Reason stated by the Mexican government: “solid evidence” that “defeated” candidate for the presidency, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and his supporters were planning to disturb the celebraciones patrias.

Mexico City’s left-leaning daily La Jornada reports:

With his closest team members and supported by reports from the National Investigation and Security Center (CISEN) as well as other government entities, which warned in detail of the “lack of control” on the part of certain groups, “the President opted to not put at risk (common citizens and military personnel) before the “most minimal suspicion or possibility of a confrontation”. It was a decision that was “prudent and reponsible” on the part of President Fox, said government sources.

That’s what the government is saying, but La Jornada also cites sources that say that

The President of the Republic always considered, in his operational plan, two scenarios: “A” and “B”, that is, leading the traditional “grito” from the National Palace (which would have meant speaking in front of thousands of Andrés Manuel López Obrador supporters) or change locations. Both alternatives were discussed, paying special attention to the PRD’s strategy, and this Thursday was chosen as the day that the final decision would be made.

Government officials also counter that it is “traditional” for presidents to deliver “el grito” at least once in Dolores Hidalgo (site of the original “grito” given by Hidalgo) during their 6-year mandate.

Meanwhile, Avenida de la Reforma, one of Mexico City’s main arteries and home to thousands of AMLO supporters and their respective campsites, has been cleared for the first time after 47 days of “sit-in” in protest for the election results which declared AMLO loser in the presidential elections.

Via / La Jornada

Image via Daquella Manera’s Flickr page