The U.S. According to the Department of State, Mexico requested a non-treaty channel for the delivery of Colorado River water to Tijuana through a special channel. In a post on X on Thursday, the department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated, “Mexico’s continued shortfalls in its water deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing treaty are decimating American agriculture, particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley.” The department added, “Consequently, today for the first time, the United States will deny Mexico’s non-treaty request for a special delivery channel for Colorado River water to be delivered to Tijuana.” Under a 1944 treaty, which governs water allocation from the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers, Mexico is required to transfer water to the United States every five years from the two dams the countries share on the Texas border.The treaty sets five-year cycles for these water deliveries, with the latest scheduled to end in October 2025, but Mexico has fallen behind due to drought conditions.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the issue is important and that it is being addressed.
Sheinbaum made the following statement on Thursday: “It is being addressed by (national water agency) Conagua and CILA (International Boundary and Water Commission), which is in charge of reviewing this treaty.” “Less water has been available. That’s part of the problem,” she told reporters.On Wednesday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said that he hosted farmers and ranchers from across the Rio Grand Valley, adding that their “situation is dire.”“ Mexico is refusing to comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty to provide water from the Rio Grande to the US, even while we go above and beyond our own obligations to give Mexico water. Cruz wrote about X, “The effects on Texas have been catastrophic.” “I introduced and advanced the first-ever legislation to impose sanctions on Mexico and withhold aid in the event of noncompliance last Congress,” Cruz continued. “I will soon do so again in this Congress, but I am also working with the Trump administration right now to impose consequences on Mexico.” “Every option is on the table, not just withholding aid but also water we have been giving Mexico, which can be done without breaching our own obligations under the treaty,” he concluded.
Earlier this month, the Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee voted in favour of the U.S. Mexico’s obligation to deliver water to the United States is being monitored by the State Department.
U.S. rejects Mexico’s request for special delivery of water for the 1st time
