Funerales de Estado: 500 Años de la Ejecución de Cuauhtémoc. Zócalo de la Ciudad de México

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo led the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the execution of Cuauhtémoc, the last Mexica tlatoani, whom she recognized as a courageous ruler who embodies the dignity of the free people of Mexico. Accompanied by members of her Cabinet, she stood guard of honor at the hero's bust, paying tribute to his memory and warrior spirit. In Mexico City's Zócalo, the mayor recounted the emperor's story and his struggle to defend his people against the Spanish invasion. Cuauhtémoc was named tlatoani of the great Tenochtitlan in 1521 at only 25 years old; his name in Spanish means "descending eagle"; the poet Ramón López Velarde referred to him as "young grandfather" in his poem "La suave patria" (The Gentle Homeland). The young ruler faced the invaders with a population decimated by smallpox and famine. He protected his people by allowing his capture, which led to his assassination years later on February 28, 1525, on the orders of Hernán Cortés, in what is now Tenosique, Tabasco. During the commemoration, Mayor Sheinbaum Pardo recalled that the principles of Mexican humanism upon which the Fourth Transformation is based originate in the histories of the indigenous peoples, in their heroism and love for their country. She also affirmed the indigenous peoples as part of Mexico's cultural heritage and called for forgiveness among nations. During the ceremony, 21 gun salutes were fired in honor of the tlatoani (ruler). The Mexica funeral ritual was performed with a Nahuatl rendition of the “Cantata of Cuauhtémoc,” written by Samuel Maynez, set to music by Aniceto Ortega, and performed by tenor Josué Hernández and members of the Madrigalistas Choir of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL). In addition, student Emir Trujillo Barragán recited the poem “Cuauhtémoc,” written by poet Mardonio Carballo, in Nahuatl. Margarita Torres Chimelo, a member of the Malinalxóchitl calpulli of Iztapalapa, read Cuauhtémoc’s will; finally, students from the “Guadalupe Ceniceros de Zavaleta” elementary school recited the last quatrain of the “Poem of Itzcóatl.” The military bugle call "Silencio" was played with two conch shells, following the tradition of the Mexica funeral ritual, as a tribute to the memory of the last tlatoani of that culture. Also accompanying President Sheinbaum Pardo were the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, Sergio Gutiérrez Luna, and the Senate, Gerardo Fernández Noroña.