MEXICO: Mexicans celebrate the victory over the French army at the 1862 Battle of Puebla with a re-enactment of as part of Cinco de Mayo festivities

Record ID: 303810

  • Title: MEXICO: Mexicans celebrate the victory over the French army at the 1862 Battle of Puebla with a re-enactment of as part of Cinco de Mayo festivities
  • Date: 7th May 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF BAND PLAYING MORE OF BATTLE SCENE REENACTMENT
  • Embargoed: 22nd May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: History,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA74D10K7THGT55XZKT4UQ5I2UC
  • Story Text: Mexicans celebrate the victory over the French army at the 1862 Battle of Puebla with a re-enactment of as part of Cinco de Mayo festivities.
    Hundreds of residents in a small neighborhood located east of Mexico City re-enacted on Thursday (May 5) the victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla.
    In Peñon de los Baños, residents marked the Battle of Puebla, a tradition which has been kept alive each year for 80 years on the holiday popularly known as the Cinco de Mayo.
    The popular event, funded by the local government and private donations, brings together townspeople who dress up in elaborate outfits as Mexican troops, local residents or French soldiers.
    The Mexicans said they re-enact the battle to pay tribute to the heroes, soldiers and men that gave their lives for their country.
    "We are here to win the war. That's why we'll win and kill all the French and give them what they deserve," said Virginia Badillo.
    "We are going to kill the Mexicans," added Felipe Ramos who was dressed as a Frenchman.
    Mauricio Barrera, who was dressed as an indigenous resident, said the celebration had a strong tie to local tradition.
    "This is a tradition which has been taking place for more than 80 years in the Penon de los Banos. It came from our grandparents and great-grandparents," he said.
    Cinco de Mayo marks the Battle of Puebla that took place on May 5, 1862 when Mexican forces overcame Napoleon Bonaparte III 's French army.
    During a ceremony to honour Cinco de Mayo heroes, Mexican President Felipe Calderon defended his strategy in the current war Mexicans are battling, the war against drug cartels.
    "To remove troops in the fight against crime would mean giving them free reign to kidnap, extort and kill citizens under their own terms and insatiable ambition. Our fundamental duty is to protect families," he said.
    The drug war has claimed more than 37,000 lives in Mexico since 2006, when President Felipe Calderon took office and sent the army to combat cartels fighting for smuggling routes to the United States.
    Cinco de Mayo has evolved over the decades to stand as a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.
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