The United States has denied Mexico’s request for water, citing deficiencies in water-sharing by its southern neighbor, as Donald Trump intensifies conflict on another front.
On Thursday, the State Department announced that this marks the first occasion the U.S. has turned down a special water delivery request from Mexico, intended for the border city of Tijuana.
“Mexico’s ongoing failures to fulfill its water delivery commitments under the 1944 water-sharing agreement are severely impacting American agriculture – particularly farmers in the Rio Grande Valley,” stated the State Department’s bureau focusing on Latin America in a post on X.
The 1944 treaty, which oversees water distribution from the Rio Grande and Colorado River, has faced increasing pressure in recent years due to climate change and the growing demands from populations and agriculture in drought-stricken areas.
The treaty outlines five-year cycles for water allocations, with the current cycle concluding in October 2025.
According to the treaty, Mexico is obligated to supply water from rivers in the Rio Grande basin to the U.S., which in turn provides water from the Colorado River to Mexico. However, Mexico has fallen behind in its water commitments due to drought conditions in its arid northern regions.
U.S. farmers and legislators have expressed concerns that Mexico has waited until the end of each cycle to fulfill its obligations, resulting in shortfalls during the most recent period.
The treaty is highly controversial in Mexico, where farmers have been battling severe droughts in recent years.
Last year, the final sugar mill in southern Texas closed, citing insufficient water deliveries from Mexico as the reason.
Following 18 months of negotiations, the United States and Mexico reached an agreement in November, just days after Trump’s election, aimed at improving water deliveries.
Celebrated by the Biden administration, the agreement calls for Mexico to collaborate with the U.S. to ensure more timely water deliveries, particularly earlier in each five-year cycle.
Before the announcement from the State Department, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated on Thursday that the water issue was “being managed” through the boundary and water commission of both countries.
“There has been less water. That’s part of the issue,” she informed reporters.
Tijuana, a vast city on the border with California that has emerged as a manufacturing hub, relies on the Colorado River for about 90% of its water and suffers from waste due to aging infrastructure.
The Colorado River, which also serves as a key water source for Los Angeles and Las Vegas, has experienced declining water levels due to drought and significant agricultural usage in the southwestern United States, with approximately half of its water utilized for raising cattle and dairy production.
In southern Texas, farmers have expressed concerns regarding the future of cotton, citrus, and other agricultural products without more consistent water deliveries from Mexico.
On Wednesday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced $280 million in relief funds for farmers in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Texas farmers are in crisis due to Mexico’s noncompliance,” stated Senator Ted Cruz of Texas on X, commending the State Department’s water decision.
“I will collaborate with the Trump administration to pressure Mexico into compliance and secure water for Texas farmers.”
This water dispute arises as Trump adopts a stringent stance toward Latin American nations, particularly concerning migration.
Upon returning to office, Trump has vowed to halt the influx of undocumented migrants, who predominantly come from Central America and Venezuela but travel through Mexico.
Trump deployed troops to the border and announced severe tariffs on Mexico, although he has since paused them until April 2nd.
