Two USDA inspectors were reportedly held against their will and beaten during a police protest in Paracho

The United States has paused safety inspections for avocados and mangoes from Mexico after an incident reportedly threatened the safety of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff, according to several local news reports. Per Reuters, two staff members were held against their will and physically assaulted during a protest concerning police pay in the municipality of Paracho.

The USDA told Reuters that Mexican exports from the western state of Michoacán have not been blocked. Additionally, avocados and mangos already in transit wouldn’t be affected by the suspension of inspections, which would be paused “until further notice.”

“The (safety inspection) programs will remain paused until the security situation is reviewed and protocols and safeguards are in place,” a spokesperson for the agency told the outlet.