The Mexican state of Michoacan is the main source of avocado exports to the United States. However, it is also a state with a lot of drug cartel activity, including cartel involvement in the avocado business. See two recent articles on the situation, here and here.
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On August 5th, the U.S. government announced a suspension of U.S. government activities there, which would include the very important U.S. inspections of avocados, a requirement in order for them to be exported to the United States.
According to Reuters, “A Michoacan government official told Reuters on Thursday [August 6] that authorities believed the U.S. security alert may have been triggered by violence following the arrest of alleged cartel leader Alfonso Fernandez Magallon. The official said authorities had also received unconfirmed reports that a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector may have been threatened.”
On August 7th, a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico announced a partial restart of activities in the Mexican state of Michoacan.
The embassy statement is entitled “Partial Resumption of U.S. Government Activities in Michoacán Following Continued Security Coordination with Mexico”. It’s attributed to Ambassador Ron Johnson.
From the embassy statement: “Based on the commitments undertaken by the Government of Mexico, the security measures implemented in Michoacán, and our ongoing assessments of conditions on the ground, the United States Government will partially resume official activities in Tancitaro, Tacámbaro, Uruapan, and the area between Morelia and Patzcuaro as of August 8, 2026…We will continue to evaluate conditions and adjust our operations as appropriate. A secure agricultural sector benefits both of our nations by securing food production, strengthening supply chains, and supporting economic prosperity.”