Trump Demands Water Owed From U.S.-Mexico Treaty
Amid three years of drought, Mexico has struggled to deliver on its promises to the U.S. made per a 1944 water treaty. Under the treaty, Mexico agreed to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. every five years. However, the country is currently experiencing the most widespread drought since 2011.
The U.S. has similarly faced issues with drought, also struggling to fulfill its entire portion of the water delivered to Mexico from the Colorado River. The treaty dictates that the two countries must “divide the resource equitably according to their needs.”
Mexico’s northern states have been resistant to fulfillment of the treaty, leaving the Mexican government to scramble for solutions to fulfill its end of the bargain.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump wrote, “Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their Treaty obligation,” per Reuters. Trump’s posts included threats of “escalating consequences” for Mexico, such as tariffs and sanctions, until it fulfills its obligations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “Talks are under way with the governors of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua to reach a joint agreement to determine how much water can be delivered,” per Reuters.
In November of 2024, the U.S. and Mexico had agreed to amend the treaty, providing Mexico with some leeway in delivering on its promises. The International Water and Boundary Commissions is a federal agency that oversees U.S. and Mexico water treaties, and signed an agreement to give Mexico more options to meet its deadlines for water delivery. Sheinbaum said that an immediate water delivery would be sent to Texas farmers, but the exact amount was unclear.
As drought continues to strain water resources across North America, the 1944 treaty remains both a point of tension and a test of resilience. With pressure mounting from U.S. officials and farmers alike, and negotiations still unfolding in Mexico, the coming months will be critical in determining whether cooperation or conflict defines the next chapter in this decades-old agreement.