Mexico has deployed more than a thousand troops to protect its £2.2 billion ($5b) avocado industry from being decimated by cartel violence after Washington halted imports of the fruit over security concerns for US agricultural inspectors.
About 1500 Mexican soldiers are being stationed across the embattled state of Michoacan to protect agricultural workers who provide the US with two-thirds of its avocado supply.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Mexico announced that because of “threats against American interests”, including the safety of its agricultural inspectors who judge whether avocados are fit for sale north of the border, all American activities in Michoacan would come to a halt.
Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, the state’s governor, said the temporary halt was a pre-emptive measure to protect inspectors.
Mexico’s Defence Ministry is bracing for a wave of attacks after arresting one of Michoacan’s most high-profile cartel leaders on Sunday.
Alfonso Fernandez Magallon, the 47-year-old head of the Los Reyes Cartel, also known as “El Poncho”, had been arrested by Mexican special forces four days earlier.
The US Treasury had previously announced a US$5m ($8.5m) reward for El Poncho’s capture.
In retaliation, the cartel mounted roadblocks across six major highways and torched vehicles in the towns of Los Reyes and Periban.
The Los Reyes Cartel was designated a terrorist organisation last February and is suspected of extorting avocado and lime growers as well as trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine into the US.
Cartel members threaten growers and their families with threats of death or kidnapping to extract crippling sums of money.
Los Reyes has frequently clashed with rival groups over the past decade, including Los Viagras, a cartel affiliated with Mexico’s most powerful crime group, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Like its rival, Los Viagras is suspected of extortion against avocado and citrus growers, cattle ranchers and entire towns.
In one instance, the group established internet networks and ordered thousands to pay for access on pain of death.
Government officials are no better protected.
Carlos Manzo, the former mayor of the city of Uruapan and a vocal critic of cartels extorting farmers, was shot seven times at a Day of the Dead ceremony last November.
His assassination triggered mass protests.
US praises arrest
Michoacan’s state security secretary Antonio Cruz confirmed the influx of troops to safeguard avocado inspectors was directly tied to El Poncho’s detention.
Ronald Johnson, the US ambassador to Mexico, lauded the arrest, saying: “Criminals have nowhere to hide”.
He credited the hardline stances of US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This is the third time the US Government has been forced to keep its inspectors out of Mexico’s biggest avocado-producing state.
Mexico is the world’s largest producer of avocados and last year exported more than one million tonnes, worth more than £2.2bn, to the US.
In June 2024, the US suspended imports after two members of staff from the US Department of Agriculture were kidnapped and assaulted while inspecting avocados.
Inspectors are needed to monitor plantations and packing houses to ensure that avocados are free of pests.
Sheinbaum announced she had met avocado producers from the state and was working on a plan to reinforce the security presence in the producing and packing plants.
“We’re putting together an important work plan to further guarantee security in some areas where there wasn’t as much National Guard presence,” she said.
Previous US suspensions lasted a week and caused a rise in wholesale prices, with importers relying on limited supplies from Mexico’s Jalisco state, California and Peru.
On Friday, Mexico’s avocado producers’ and packers’ association told Mexican television channel Milenio that it had reached a deal with the US to authorise the release of more than 1000 tonnes of avocados.
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