Suspension of Avocado and Mango Inspections in Mexico Raises Security Concerns

Background

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, announced on Friday that inspections of avocados and mangos made by U.S. Agriculture Department workers in Michoacán, a state in western Mexico, would “gradually” resume. It was not immediately clear when that would happen. Mr. Salazar seemed to suggest that the security concerns that had prompted the suspension last weekend had not been fully addressed.

Incident and Response

On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico reported that two employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service had been assaulted and detained while surveying avocado orchards in Michoacán. This led to the suspension of avocado and mango inspections imported from Mexico until security protocols are reviewed and in place.

Political Actions

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico has promised to enhance safety measures for the inspectors and is working on an agreement. He expressed frustration with the U.S.’s unilateral suspension and emphasized the need for a different approach in handling such situations.

Industry Impact

The suspension has raised concerns among avocado producers in Michoacán, a state that supplies a significant portion of U.S. avocado imports. The industry faces challenges from criminal groups attempting to infiltrate the lucrative export market, leading to threats, abductions, and environmental damage.