U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico announced the State Department has suspended activities in Michoacan State.
“Due to a threat against American interests, U.S. government activities in Michoacan State have been suspended as of August 5,” according to the warning. “Reminder that the U.S. travel advisory designates Michoacan as a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ area.”
While the State Department did not specify the threat, four cartels work out of Michoacan State, all of which the administration designated as terrorist organizations:
The cartels have a history of extorting agricultural workers, including avocado farmers:
While the U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its security alert, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said on social media that the temporary halt to inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. The inspections are necessary for avocados to be shipped to the United States and their suspension could disrupt exports.The western state of Michoacan is the leading exporter of avocados to the U.S. and has a high level of organized crime activity with at least four cartels — designated as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration — operating in the region. Besides trafficking drugs, cartels also make money through extortion, including of the avocado industry.Michoacan State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz told The Associated Press that one of the arrests mentioned by the governor was of “El Poncho,” the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, leader of a local cartel operating in the avocado-growing region around Los Reyes.
The U.S. gets 80% of its avocados from Mexico. Avocados are considered “green gold” in Michoacán State, creating over 200,000 jobs.
Mexico sent America $3.65 billion worth of avocados in 2025. Those exports rose by 35% during the first quarter of 2026.
Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla wrote on X:
We maintain fluid communication with the United States Embassy and a maximum coordination effort between its security area, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, and our Secretariat of Security. We join forces to address any concerns and ensure the swift restoration of operations, always safeguarding the development and tranquility of Michoacán.
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