President Claudia Sheinbaum described the request from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to combat the pest of the corn borer in Mexico and its warning to stop livestock imports as "excessive." In her morning conference, Sheinbaum stated that it is important to address the situation with the corn borer in livestock, although she believes some requests are inappropriate.
Sheinbaum supported the response of the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué, who asserted that Mexico cooperates but does not subordinate itself. She explained that her country already had control systems in place that are being reinforced to prevent the spread of the corn borer, primarily along the southern border and throughout the national territory.
The alert arises amid trade tensions between the United States and Mexico, which increased its livestock exports by 37.8% in the 2023-2024 cycle. Last November, the United States had paused and then resumed the importation of Mexican livestock due to the presence of this pest, which recently caused the death of a 77-year-old woman in Chiapas.
The Mexican president pointed out that "Mexico is not a piñata," referring to the criticisms received from the United States, which she relates to the upcoming local and midterm elections in that country. Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico cannot be used negatively in foreign electoral campaigns.
