US suspends avocado inspections in Mexican state on Michoacan due to threat
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States announced on Wednesday that it had suspended all government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacan because of a “threat to U.S. interests,” including a halt to the inspections of avocados required for their…
The United States has temporarily halted avocado inspections in the Mexican state of Michoacan due to a perceived threat to its interests, according to a recent security alert. This decision comes as avocados destined for the U.S. market would require inspections before exportation. Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla revealed the temporary suspension on social media, stating that it was aimed at protecting workers following recent arrests connected to extortion. Inspections are essential for the avocado exports, and their suspension could disrupt the market.
Michoacan is the leading avocado exporter to the United States, and the region is plagued by organized crime activities involving at least four cartels, classified as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. In addition to drug trafficking, these cartels profit from extortion, including targeting the avocado industry.
Antonio Cruz, the State Security Secretary of Michoacan, confirmed one of the arrests mentioned by the governor, that of "El Poncho," the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, the leader of a local cartel active in the avocado-producing region around Los Reyes.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson expressed satisfaction with the arrest, which occurred over the weekend and was rewarded with a $5 million bounty. Cruz acknowledged that his department was unaware of any direct encounters between the avocado inspectors and the threat. However, to ensure security, 300 personnel were deployed to the Los Reyes area as a precautionary measure.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
