The health catastrophe hitting the Mexican countryside was warned about in 2020. A technical study prepared by the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador estimated that a resurgence of the screwworm could cause losses of more than 8 billion pesos annually. But, as has been customary in the 4T, the diagnosis was shelved… and action, absent.
Today, the plague has become a real threat. It affects livestock, jeopardizes exports, and, worse yet, can also infect humans. All due to the indifference of a government more focused on speeches than solutions.
AMLO ignoró las advertencias del rebrote del gusano barrenador.
Sheinbaum was also neglectful
Ranchers accuse that President Claudia Sheinbaum also didn't act in time. She didn't alert about the closure of the border by the United States nor did she manage the reopening of the sterile fly plant in Chiapas. This facility is key to combating the spread of the insect.
The factory was closed since 2013, and Mexico became dependent on U.S. supplies. But even with that fragility recognized by the federal government itself, neither AMLO nor Sheinbaum reacted to the risk.
The consequence is devastating: more than 10 billion pesos in losses, impacts on meat and milk production, and the halt of livestock exports to the U.S.
Sheinbaum tampoco hizo nada ante las advertencias del rebrote
The threat that crosses borders
The screwworm, also known as "coquerel," devours the living flesh of warm-blooded animals. It can cause myiasis, a dangerous disease even for humans if not treated in time.
Cases have been confirmed in Oaxaca and Veracruz, and health authorities acknowledge that the plague could spread throughout the country.
Foto aumentada del gusano barrenador
In response, the United States Department of Agriculture decided to suspend imports of Mexican livestock. The measure affects states like Sonora and Chihuahua, which daily exported more than 5,700 head of cattle.
With an average value of 2,000 dollars per unit, Mexico loses 11.4 million dollars a day.
El gusano afecta principalmente al ganado, pero también afecta a los humanos
Corruption, omission, and consequences
The document from the Department of Agriculturewarned years ago that a resurgence would reduce bovine sector profits by up to 23%. Even so, the 4T ignored the alarm, prioritizing propaganda over management.
What was a contained threat turned into a crisis due to negligence. AMLO had the data, Sheinbaum had the time… but both decided to do nothing. Now the country pays the price.
