On 16 September, MINURSO observed Mexico’s national day by raising the Mexican flag at the Mission HQ in Laayoune.

This national holiday commemorates  “the Cry of Dolores,” an anticolonial resistance speech delivered by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on this day in 1810.

Mexico’s first major contribution to UN peacekeeping was in 1992, when it deployed more than 100 police to the UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL). As of 31 July 2025, 20 military and police officers are deployed in UN peacekeeping operations including in MINURSO.

The green color of the Mexican flag represents hope and victory, the white stands for unity, and the red pays tribute to the national heroes who have fought and died for Mexico.

¡Feliz Dia Nacional Mexico!