Current:Home > NewsU.S. to resume avocado inspections in Mexican state that were halted by violence -AssetLink
U.S. to resume avocado inspections in Mexican state that were halted by violence
View
Date:2025-04-15 04:59:16
U.S. government inspections of avocados and mangoes in the Mexican state of Michoacan will gradually resume, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar announced Friday, a week after they were suspended over an assault on inspectors.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors "will gradually begin to return to the packing plants following recent aggression against them," Salazar said in a statement. "However, it is still necessary to advance in guaranteeing their security before reaching full operations."
"In fact, more work still needs to be done so that the (agriculture) inspectors are safe and can resume inspections and thereby eliminate the impediments to the trade of avocado and mango to the United States from Michoacan."
Last weekend, two USDA employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in Michoacan, Salazar said earlier this week. That led the U.S. to suspend inspections in Mexico's biggest avocado-producing state.
The employees work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Because the U.S. also grows avocados, U.S. inspectors work in Mexico to ensure exported avocados don't carry diseases that could hurt U.S. crops.
Earlier this week, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said the inspectors had been stopped in a protest by residents of Aranza in western Michoacan on June 14.
He downplayed the situation, suggesting the inspectors were never at risk. He said that he got in touch with the U.S. Embassy the following day and that state forces were providing security for the state's avocado producers and packers.
Many avocado growers in Michoacan say drug gangs threaten them or their family members with kidnapping or death unless they pay protection money, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars per acre.
There have also been reports of organized crime bringing avocados grown in other states not approved for export and trying to get them through U.S. inspections.
In February 2022, the U.S. government suspended inspections of Mexican avocados "until further notice" after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Michoacan received a threatening message. The halt was lifted after about a week.
Later that year, Jalisco became the second Mexican state authorized to export avocados to the U.S.
Michoacan is in the midst of ongoing cartel violence between the Jalisco New Generation cartel and the Michoacan-based gang, the Viagras. The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Michoacán last week, advising Americans not to travel to the state due to concerns of crime and kidnapping.
Earlier this week, Salazar said he will travel to Mexico next week to meet with Bedolla to address security concerns, among other issues.
The new pause in inspections didn't block shipments of Mexican avocados to the U.S., because Jalisco is now an exporter and there are a lot of Michoacan avocados already in transit.
Salazar said he was optimistic things were moving in a positive direction, but would not be satisified until the inspectors can work without threats to their safety.
- In:
- Drug Cartels
- Mexico
- Cartel
veryGood! (189)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Bachelor Nation's Kendall Long Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Mitchell Sagely
- John Amos, Star of Good Times and Roots, Dead at 84
- As SNL turns 50, a look back at the best political sketches and impressions
- NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
- A 'Ring of fire' eclipse is happening this week: Here's what you need to know
- NFL Week 4 overreactions: Rashee Rice injury ends Chiefs’ three-peat hopes?
- Appeals court reinstates Indiana lawsuit against TikTok alleging child safety, privacy concerns
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Pennsylvania county manager sued over plans to end use of drop boxes for mail-in ballots
Ranking
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- MLB playoffs are a 'different monster' but aces still reign in October
- Mountain terrain, monstrous rain: What caused North Carolina's catastrophic flooding
- This year’s MacArthur ‘genius’ fellows include more writers, artists and storytellers
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Katy Perry wears zippered bag dress to Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show
- Frank Fritz, the 'bearded charmer' of 'American Pickers,' dies 2 years after stroke
- All-season vs. winter tires: What’s the difference?
Recommendation
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Who are the 2024 MacArthur ‘genius grant’ fellows?
Georgia National Guard starts recovery efforts in Augusta: Video shows debris clearance
Dartmouth College naming center in memory of football coach Teevens
US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
'Deep frustration' after cell phone outages persist after Hurricane Helene landfall
Taylor Swift’s Makeup Artist Lorrie Turk Reveals the Red Lipstick She Wears
Days after Hurricane Helene, a powerless mess remains in the Southeast