In a statement released on Friday, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, announced that inspections of avocados and mangoes in the Mexican state of Michoacán would gradually resume after being temporarily suspended due to an assault on U.S. agriculture department inspectors. Salazar emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of the inspectors before fully restoring operations.

The decision to suspend inspections came after two U.S. agriculture department employees were assaulted and held temporarily by assailants in Michoacán, which is known as Mexico's largest avocado-producing state. The employees, who work for the U.S. agriculture department's animal and plant health inspection service, are responsible for ensuring that exported avocados do not carry diseases that could harm U.S. crops.

Governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, downplayed the situation, stating that the inspectors had never been at risk. He assured that state forces were providing security for the state's avocado producers and packers. However, Salazar emphasized that more work needs to be done to guarantee the inspectors' safety and eliminate obstacles to the trade of avocados and mangoes from Michoacán to the United States.

Michoacán's avocado growers have been facing threats from drug gangs, who demand protection money under the threat of kidnapping or death. The protection payments can amount to thousands of dollars per acre. Additionally, there have been reports of organized crime attempting to circumvent U.S. inspections by smuggling avocados grown in other states not authorized for export.

This is not the first time inspections of Mexican avocados have been suspended. In February 2022, the U.S. government halted inspections after an American plant safety inspector in Michoacán received a threatening message. The suspension was lifted after about a week. Subsequently, Jalisco became the second Mexican state authorized to export avocados to the U.S.

The recent pause in inspections did not affect the shipments of Mexican avocados to the U.S. as Jalisco is now an exporter, and many Michoacán avocados were already in transit. Salazar expressed optimism regarding the progress made but emphasized the need for inspectors to be able to work without threats to their safety.

The resumption of inspections in the Michoacán region is a crucial step towards ensuring the integrity and safety of avocados and mangoes being exported to the United States. The U.S. government remains committed to working closely with Mexican authorities to address security concerns and strengthen the trade relationship between the two countries.