The workers with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were attacked while carrying out their work inspecting avocados, the U.S. ambassador said.
It doesn't even involve drug smuggling. Like organized crime in the US, they've branched out into racketeering and extortion in otherwise legitimate industries. Tortillerias are also major targets of extortion rackets now in Mexico.
Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla told reporters on Monday that Mexican authorities were in contact with U.S. officials and were working to resolve the situation, according to The Associated Press.
In the meantime, Mexican exports were not completely blocked and the pause would not affect avocados and mangoes already in transit, according to Salazar.
Salazar will travel to Mexico next week to meet with Bedolla to address security concerns, among other issues.
"I have been closely monitoring the situation and remain in direct contact with Mexican state and federal government officials," Salazar said.
In March, a police officer was reportedly beheaded and two of her bodyguards were killed in an attack on a highway.
Two years ago, the U.S. briefly banned avocado imports from Mexico following threats to a USDA inspector.
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