Mexico kicked off Independence Day celebrations on Monday night with President Claudia Sheinbaum delivering for the first time the traditional "shout" to a Zocalo main square bustling with people.

Sheinbaum is the first ever woman president to deliver the shout in the history of modern Mexico.

The president walked out onto the balcony of the National Palace and shouted "Long live Mexico!" and then rang the bell and waved a large Mexican flag officially marking the start of celebrations.

"Long live a free, independent, and sovereign Mexico," said Sheinbaum to the crowds gathering below.

Independence Day marks the start of the 1810-21 struggle for freedom from Spain and has been celebrated for over a century.

The event has not been cancelled since 1847, the year U.S. troops occupied Mexico City during the US-Mexico War.

A traditional military parade is scheduled for later on Tuesday.

The freshly elected Mexican president has been lauded, and even dubbed a sort of "Trump whisperer," for being able to offset the brunt of U.S. tariffs that have dealt a blow to other foreign economies.

Sheinbaum has done so by cracking down on cartels with a heavier hand than her predecessor.

AP video shot by Fernanda Pesce