In response to Mexico’s request for additional water shipments, the United States turned down the request, citing continued water-sharing commitment gaps. Under the Rio Grande and Colorado Rivers Treaty of 1944, the US turned down a demand for ocean for the first time.
Tijuana, a big border city greatly dependent on the Colorado River, would have received the water requested. The US state department’s determination, which runs on five-year processes, was justified by Mexico’s inability to fulfill its commitments under the agreement. The latest period ends in 2025, in October.
According to the Guardian, Mexico has fallen behind on paying for its water bills in the dry northeast of the nation.
The state agency’s Latin America commission stated in a blog on X that” Mexico’s continuing shortages in its waters deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing agreement are decimating American agriculture, particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley.”
In recent years, the convention has been under pressure from rising water demands, prolonged drought, and climate change. Mexico itself is struggling with extreme drought conditions, even though US officials claim that Mexico has repeatedly delayed its waters payments until the last moment and fell short in the most recent period.
Farmers in southern Texas, who rely on Mexican waters sales for crops like cotton and citrus, are especially vulnerable to this problem. Operators in the area resisted closing the country’s previous sugar mill a year ago due to a lack of Mexican water supply.
The United States and Mexico reached a deal in November to increase water deliveries in an effort to end the problems. The agreement, which was praised by the administration’s then-President, ordered Mexico to make more proper transfers as opposed to waiting until the close of each five-year period.
Speaking before the state agency’s news, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the issue was being handled through the nations ‘ barrier and water fee.
” Less liquid has been. That’s a component of the issue, she told investigators.
Political unrest has also been a result of the debate, with Texas legislators calling for more forceful activity.
Senator Ted Cruz wrote on X, praising the State Department’s position, that” Texas producers are in crisis because of Mexico’s noncompliance.”
” I will function with the Trump administration to compel Mexico to comply and provide water to Texas producers.”
US crops director Brooke Rollins announced a$ 280 million pleasure item for Rio Grande Valley farmers in response to the crisis.
As Trump takes a strong position on Latin America, especially in regards to immigration, the liquid debate is roiling. He has pledged to impose tariffs on Mexico and has deployed soldiers to the borders, despite having them briefly paused until 2 April.
