Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto traveled to his country's avocado heartland yesterday to give a stirring speech in support for growers, whose region has been wracked by violence from drug cartels; a phenomenon that gave rise to the term 'blood avocados'.

Enrique Peña Nieto (right) meets with avocado growers in Michoacán.

Speaking to growers in Uruapan, Michoacán, Peña Nieto said the Federal Government would make a coordinated effort with state and local governments to stamp out crime.

He emphasized it would not be a goal that could be achieved in a matter of months, and that his government would not fall into a state of 'triumphalism', but that it was on course to securing stability for the country's top agricultural region.

"The potential that Michoacán has is even greater and many Michoacán people hope to have this opportunity...that there is a favorable environment so that they can reach their own desires, their own dreams, and their own goals that have clearly been delayed," he said.

"I want to be in solidarity, not just in rhetoric or good wishes, nor just waiting for things to go well.

"We want to be present here, and we will be in attendance for the necessary time until we really manage to recover the optimal conditions for the integral development of all of Michoacán."

Among the participants at the event titled 'Recognition of the Avocado Production and Export Program', were Avocado Growers Association president Sergio Guerrero Urbina, avocado grower Joaquín Barragán Ortega, SAGARPA secretary Enrique Martínez y Martínez and National Agricultural Council president Benjamín Grayeb Ruiz.

Photo: Presidencia.gob.mx

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