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The false positive for Cyclospora in Mexican lettuce, reported by the FDA and later denied, revived the debate about the resources allocated to agri-food health in Mexico.

The budget of the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) went from 6,884 million pesos in 2018 to 5,086 million in 2026. This represents a reduction of 26.1%, without considering inflation. The sector warns that this trend compromises the ability to respond to health alerts.

A week ago, the FDA flagged Taco Bell’s chopped lettuce, produced by Taylor Fresh Foods in Guanajuato, for allegedly containing Cyclospora. Hours later, he retracted it: the sample gave a false positive. Mexican lettuce exports—97% of 153 thousand tons annually go to the US—come mainly from Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Puebla, Aguascalientes and Sonora.

Authorities from the Ministry of Health and Senasica analyzed 14 samples of lettuce and water, and ruled out the presence of the parasite.

The Agricultural Market Consulting Group (GCMA) described the situation as worrying:

“While health risks, commercial exchange and international demands increase, the resources allocated to Senasica have been reduced.”

He added that health and safety should be treated as matters of national security, not subject to insufficient budgets.

Jorge Esteve, president of the National Agricultural Council, pointed out that in the last ten years the health budget was reduced by more than 50%, while agricultural and livestock production grew. “You cannot provide complete surveillance,” he stated.

The sector demands that health alerts be handled with rigor and proportionality to avoid harm to producers. Bilateral coordination based on scientific evidence made it possible to clarify this case, but the lack of resources remains a latent risk.

Bilateral military cooperation in Veracruz

The US embassy confirmed that General Greg Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and Northern Command, visited Veracruz on July 22. The objective of the meeting was to review strategic security issues.

During his stay, General Guillot met with the head of the Secretariat of National Defense, General Ricardo Trevilla, and with Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales, Secretary of the Navy. Both sides hailed the meeting as a milestone in the bilateral defense relationship.

“The leaders addressed key strategic issues, such as specialized special operations and counter-cartel training, information sharing and force protection cooperation regarding unmanned aerial systems and the best ways to counter them,” the Northern Command said in a statement.

The North American Maritime Security Initiative and other regional initiatives were also reviewed. The Northern Command highlighted that senior commanders have transformed a professional collaboration into a personal bond that lays the foundation for expanding cooperation.

“The security of North America depends on the strength of alliances and our ability to operate with a common purpose,” declared General Guillot. “The meetings here in Veracruz demonstrate our deep mutual trust and our commitment to addressing complex regional challenges together with our Mexican partners.”

Both parties reiterated their commitment to strengthen cooperation to defend North America, with respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and shared and differentiated responsibility.

A judge from the Reclusorio Norte withdrew the justified preventive detention of Jesús Murillo Karam, former attorney general of the Republic, who since 2024 had been under house arrest in Lomas de Chapultepec for the Ayotzinapa case. The decision was made after more than two years without his trial reaching a sentence.

The journalist Miriam Moreno, in the program “Por la Mañana” by Ciro Gómez Leyva, explained that the defense argued delays beyond the control of the accused: vacations, changes in the justice system and the judicial election.

Hearing details

“A hearing was held that lasted around 30 hours. It began on Wednesday afternoon and ended yesterday. The defense told the judge that the circumstances under which the preventive detention was determined have changed. More than two years have passed where, for reasons beyond his control, the process has been delayed,” Moreno said.

The withdrawal of the measure does not imply total freedom. Murillo Karam remains subject to other precautionary measures:

• Carry an electronic locator (already had it).
• Domiciliary restriction, with departures only for medical emergencies.
• Prohibition of leaving Mexico City and the country.

In addition, he faces another criminal case in the South Prison, where he also has justified preventive detention. Therefore, the measure only applies to the Northern process.

The defense highlighted that the former attorney, detained in 2022, had requested a change of arrest due to deterioration in his health. Now, with the new resolution, you will be able to leave your home for medical emergencies without needing court permission each time.