Mexico Rejects Trump’s Threats Regarding the 1944 Water Agreement
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, April 11, 2025. X/ @ElFinanciero_Mx
April 11, 2025 Hour: 1:39 pm
‘We’ve had three years of drought, and within the limits of water availability, Mexico has been complying,’ Sheinbaum said.
On Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected threats from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of new tariffs on Mexican products. The threats were justified this time by the claim that Mexico is failing to deliver 1.3 million acre-feet of water to Texas.
RELATED:
Mexico Proposes a Latin American Economic Summit to Address the U.S. Trade War
“We’ve had three years of drought, and within the limits of water availability, Mexico has been complying. The International Boundary and Water Commission has continued working to identify solutions that are favorable for both countries,” she said.
The Mexican president indicated that her Secretaries of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, and Environment have already been instructed to establish immediate contact with their U.S. counterparts in order to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
“I believe we will reach a reasonable agreement in the coming days. I don’t think this matter will lead to a conflict,” Sheinbaum said, noting that sanctions-related threats have become Trump’s “usual way of communicating.”
“If there’s a certain number of cubic meters to be delivered, it must be delivered. But if there’s no water, how can you deliver it?” the Mexican president stated, pointing out that the drought has made it impossible for her country to deliver all the agreed-upon cubic meters.
“What’s happening is that there’s less water in the Rio Grande, mainly because we’ve had nearly four years of drought, and there’s simply less water. We’re looking for alternative ways to technically comply with the treaty,” Sheinbaum added, implicitly referring to the 2.16 billion cubic meters of water that Mexico is obligated to provide to the United States every five years.
Previously, the U.S. president accused Mexico of “stealing” water from Texas by failing to comply with the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty, which established a framework for the organized distribution of water from the Colorado River, the Tijuana River, and the Rio Grande.
“Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their treaty obligation. This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas farmers very badly. Last year, the only sugar mill in Texas closed, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get South Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the farmers,” Trump stated.
“That ends now! I will make sure Mexico doesn’t violate our treaties, and doesn’t hurt our Texas farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including tariffs and maybe even sanctions, until Mexico honors the treaty and gives Texas the water they are owed!” he added.
Under the terms of the treaty, the U.S. agreed to deliver 1.3 million acre-feet of Colorado River water annually to Mexico, while Mexico committed to deliver 350,000 acre-feet from six Rio Grande tributaries that flow from Mexico into U.S. territory.
While the treaty has largely remained in effect over time, it has faced challenges—particularly during periods of drought. For example, Mexico has occasionally struggled to meet its delivery obligations on the Rio Grande, leading to diplomatic tensions and calls for better water management.
Nevertheless, the treaty’s flexibility, through provisions known as “Minutes,” has allowed both countries to negotiate temporary adjustments and resolve disputes.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE – RT