A longstanding water dispute between the United States and Mexico has reached a critical point, with Texas at the center of the controversy. The issue revolves around an 80-year-old water treaty, in which Mexico committed to sending 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the Rio Grande every five years. In return, the U.S. supplies millions of acre-feet of water to Mexico along other parts of the U.S. southern border.
However, during the most recent cycle that began in 2020, Texas lawmakers — led by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas — asserted that Mexico has delivered only a fraction of the promised water. The bipartisan group of legislators sent a letter to the Senate and House appropriators, urging them to withhold funds to Mexico.
“The 1944 water treaty between the United States and Mexico obligates both countries to share water resources from the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers,” the letter said in part. “Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Mexico still fails to provide minimum, consistent water deliveries to the United States from the Rio Grande, instead waiting until the end of a five-year cycle to deliver the water owed to America.”
This shortfall has exacerbated water shortages in Texas, particularly in regions experiencing extreme drought conditions. For instance, the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers sugar mill closed its doors in February 2024 due to lack of water from Mexico, affecting over 500 employees.
In response, the bipartisan group of legislators urged the Senate and House appropriators to withhold funds from Mexico until it fulfills its water obligations. The 1944 water treaty obligates both countries to share water resources from the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers, but Mexico’s inconsistent deliveries have strained relations. Texas lawmakers believe that withholding “designated funds” is a necessary step to get Mexico’s attention.
Meanwhile, Mexico itself faces drought challenges, receiving only about half of its normal rainfall over the last year. As the country’s presidential election approaches, Mexican farmers are pleading with candidates to conserve water. However, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has yet to make any decisions regarding the water dispute.
The situation remains tense, and both sides await Congress’ response to determine the next steps in this water war.
