Protecting the 'green gold': hundreds of soldiers guard avocado crops
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Mexico has deployed at least 46 operational bases to safeguard the inspection, production, and export of avocados in Michoacán following a security alert last week. On Wednesday, August 5, the United States temporarily suspended agricultural personnel activities to certify phytosanitary requirements for avocados exported from Michoacán after the U.S. Embassy issued a warning about a threat to its interests. However, two days later, inspections were announced to resume. Mexico's Secretary of National Defense, Ricardo Trevilla, explained in a press conference on Tuesday that the avocado protection operation includes a regional intelligence fusion center in Uruapan, the most important avocado-producing area, where information will be centralized and actions coordinated under the command of the 21st Military Zone. Of the 46 bases, 17 will be located at packing facilities in Tingüindín, Tocumbo, and Peribán, while the other 29 will operate in Cotija, Tocumbo, Tingüindín, Los Reyes, and Peribán, with around 870 agents, Trevilla detailed. The National Guard will also deploy 228 agents and 48 vehicles to monitor routes between Jiquilpan, Tocumbo, Tingüindín, Jacona, Peribán, Tancítaro, and Uruapan, while federal forces will accompany health personnel at five inspection points located in Zamora, Cotija, Apatzingán, Buenavista, and Aguililla. The Mexican Army stated that surveillance will be permanent and estimated that about 9,500 Defense and National Guard personnel are deployed in Michoacán, of which nearly 1,500 are specifically assigned to the avocado sector.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
