The United States suspended all government operations in Michoacán, Mexico, on Tuesday, citing a "threat to U.S. interests" as organized crime continues to exert influence over virtually every aspect of daily life in the state, including the avocado industry.
The U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat, saying only that "due to a threat against U.S. interests, U.S. government activities in Michoacán have been suspended as of Aug. 5." The suspension includes U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors responsible for verifying and approving avocado exports to the United States.
According to Milenio, citing data from Mexico's Secretariat of Economy, Michoacán exported an average of $5 million worth of avocados to the United States each day during the second quarter of 2026, compared with $6.2 million per day during the first quarter.
Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said in a video posted on social media that the inspections were suspended to protect workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. He later told Milenio he met with representatives from the U.S. Embassy in an effort to restore the inspectors' operations.
Mantenemos una comunicación fluida con la Embajada de Estados Unidos y un trabajo de máxima coordinación entre su área de seguridad, la Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana y nuestra Secretaría de Seguridad. Unimos esfuerzos para atender cualquier inquietud y garantizar… pic.twitter.com/mgriu7RTlW
— Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla (@ARBedolla) August 5, 2026
The suspension marks the third time the United States has halted the work of avocado inspectors in Michoacán and the first since June 15, 2024, when inspectors suspended operations after two USDA employees were detained during a road blockade in Aranza, Michoacán. Inspections resumed 10 days later, according to Milenio.
The first suspension occurred on Feb. 11, 2022, after a U.S. employee within the avocado inspection program received a phone threat, prompting a nearly weeklong interruption.
Organized crime maintains significant control over several sectors of Michoacán's economy, including agriculture. Drug cartels rely on extortion and the so-called "cobro de piso" or protection racket, to finance their criminal operations, particularly the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which maintains a strong presence in the state.
According to Milenio, citing the Michoacán Attorney General's Office, the criminal cell linked to the Jalisco cartel that was allegedly responsible for the killing of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo last November generated more than $1 billion annually through extortion payments collected from avocado producers.
As NBC News noted, Mexico supplies about 80% of U.S. avocado imports, and avocado cultivation supports roughly 200,000 jobs in Michoacán alone.
