Assault on US avocado inspectors in Mexican state led to suspension of inspections

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Two employees of the U.S. Agriculture Department were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in the Mexican state of Michoacan, prompting the U.S. government to suspend inspections of avocado and mango shipments. U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said in a statement Tuesday that the assault occurred while they were inspecting avocados in Michoacan. He said they were no longer being held. U.S. officials had confirmed the pause in inspections Monday based on security concerns. The employees work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Because the United States also grows avocados, U.S. inspectors work in Mexico to ensure exported avocados don’t carry diseases that could hurt U.S. crops.