Mexico has deployed over 1,500 soldiers to its avocado heartlands in Michoacán following a US suspension of exports due to security concerns. The US embassy cited "a threat against American interests," marking the third such suspension since 2022. The deployment aims to reinforce security and prevent extortion of avocado producers.

Mexico is the world's largest avocado producer, with over $3 billion in exports to the US in 2025, largely from Michoacán. Previous suspensions have impacted wholesale prices. President Claudia Sheinbaum is working on a security plan and seeks to reinstate US inspectors or replace them with Mexican officials.

The avocado industry in Michoacán is deeply intertwined with organized crime, leading to extortion, land seizures, and violence against producers and workers. Despite a fall in national homicide rates, extortion and vehicle theft remain high in the state.