Politics · Mexico · 7 hrs ago
Mexico’s military reaffirms emergency-aid commitment as Plan DN-III-E turns 60
Mexico’s defense chief reaffirmed the military’s commitment to help in emergencies at a ceremony attended by President Claudia Sheinbaum at Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
Plan DN-III-E has been used in more than 87,000 emergencies since its first deployment, the general said.
The plan was created in 1965 as part of Mexico’s national defense arrangements to help civilians.
It was first used in 1966 after Hurricane Inés flooded areas of Tamaulipas and Veracruz, destroying about 2,500 homes.
The military has since helped during hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires and health emergencies.
The army now has dedicated disaster-response units and heavy machinery to support its work.
Trevilla said soldiers would continue going wherever families or communities need help.
Mexico’s defense secretary reaffirmed that the armed forces will assist communities during emergencies as Plan DN-III-E marked 60 years since its first use.
General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo spoke at a ceremony at Felipe Ángeles International Airport on October 30, 2026.
He said military personnel had taken part in more than 87,000 emergency events since 1966.
The plan was created in 1965 as part of Mexico’s national defense plan and first used after Hurricane Inés in October 1966.
The Defense Secretariat now has disaster-response units, equipment and engineering battalions to support its work.
- Who
- Defense Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo reaffirmed the commitment of Mexico’s armed forces.
- What
- The armed forces will continue helping people during emergencies under Plan DN-III-E.
- When
- October 30, 2026, at a ceremony marking 60 years since the plan’s first application.
- Where
- Felipe Ángeles International Airport in the State of Mexico.
- Why
- The plan provides assistance to civilians affected by emergencies and disasters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Plan DN-III-E was created as an annex to Mexico’s National Defense Plan number three.
The plan was first applied after Hurricane Inés caused the Pánuco and Tamesí rivers to overflow.
The armed forces’ experience during the earthquake contributed to the organization of the National Civil Protection System.
A ceremony at Felipe Ángeles International Airport marked 60 years since the plan’s first application.
- First created
- 1965
- First application
- October 1966, after Hurricane Inés
- Emergency events
- More than 87,000 since 1966
- International humanitarian missions
- 99 in 30 countries since 1996
- Current response capacity
- A disaster-response battalion, a military strategic supply center, a disaster-support force and seven engineering battalions with heavy machinery
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What people are saying
while there is a family to protect, a community to help and a Mexican who needs a soldier’s support, no distance will stop us, no adversity will overcome us, and no risk will keep us from fulfilling our duty