Crime & Public Safety
Mexico arrests 12 in avocado extortion case
Mexico said Tuesday it had arrested 12 people accused of extorting avocado producers and sellers in Michoacan after a two-day US suspension of avocado imports over security concerns.
The arrests took place in Michoacan, a central state that is a major avocado-producing area and has been affected by fighting between criminal groups.
Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said the suspects are accused of extorting producers, sellers, transporters and packers in the avocado, cattle and meat sectors. He said one suspect is tied to the Knights Templar cartel, which continues to fight the Jalisco New Generation Cartel for control of Michoacan.
Washington suspended avocado imports last week for two days before resuming them on Friday after Mexico committed to reinforcing security for inspectors of the US-bound fruit.
The US Embassy in Mexico had said on August 5 that it suspended all activities in Michoacan after a threat against US interests. It later said inspections would restart in some avocado-growing areas from August 8 after Mexican security commitments and continuing assessments.
Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said the government has deployed 8,000 soldiers in Michoacan, including 1,500 operatives specifically assigned to security for the avocado sector. He said the deployment will include outposts at 17 avocado-packing companies and increased security for avocado inspectors.
US authorities routinely inspect avocado orchards and packing facilities in Mexico. In 2024, avocado shipments were temporarily suspended after two inspectors were assaulted and temporarily detained in Michoacan.
Update
Mexico said it arrested 12 people accused of extorting avocado producers, sellers, transporters and packers, as well as cattle and meat businesses.
Mexican officials said one suspect is tied to the Knights Templar cartel.
Mexico has deployed 8,000 soldiers in Michoacan and 1,500 operatives specifically for avocado-sector security.
The military deployment will include outposts at 17 avocado-packing companies.
Source note: AFP news report published on 11 August 2026 at 16:17:43 UTC.
Update
The US Embassy in Mexico said inspections will resume in some avocado-growing areas of Michoacan from August 8.
The embassy did not specify whether avocado shipments would also restart.
The embassy said the decision followed commitments by the Mexican government, security measures in Michoacan and ongoing evaluations on the ground.
Mexican authorities said Michoacan security would be reinforced with 1,500 troops deployed to producing areas, packing centers and agricultural inspection points.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 August 2026 at 06:17:26 UTC.
Update
The US Embassy in Mexico said it suspended all activities in Michoacan from August 5 after a threat against US interests.
The Association of Avocado Producers and Packers said fruit destined for export would not be authorised.
The industry group said its representatives would meet authorities about the security situation.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 19:22:10 UTC.
Update
The suspension concerns security concerns, according to an industry group.
Michoacan is Mexico's largest exporter of avocados to the United States.
The Michoacan state government said the suspension was a preventive measure after arrests of criminal leaders known for extorting the regional avocado industry.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 18:44:06 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The case against the arrested suspects remains at the accusation stage.
The supplied information does not establish whether the arrested suspects were linked to the specific threat that prompted the US suspension.
Source
AFP news report published on .