MEXICO CITY– President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday that Mexico will immediately deliver water to farmers in Texas, as part of efforts to reduce its shortfall under a decades-old treaty with the United States.
During her regular press briefing, Sheinbaum shared that Mexico is actively exploring solutions to meet its commitments under the 81-year-old water-sharing agreement. She confirmed that a proposal had already been forwarded to U.S. officials.
Tensions have escalated between the two nations due to Mexico’s lagging water deliveries, with former U.S. President Donald Trump warning of potential tariffs or sanctions. Meanwhile, Texas Republicans have accused Mexico of neglecting the treaty, leaving Texan farmers without vital water supplies.
“For the farmers in Texas who are seeking water, we will ensure an immediate supply of several million cubic meters, depending on what’s available in the Rio Grande,” Sheinbaum said.
Under the terms of the 1944 treaty, Mexico is required to transfer 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. from the Rio Grande every five years. One acre-foot equals roughly half the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. However, with the current cycle ending in October, Mexico has delivered less than a third of the agreed volume, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission.
Sheinbaum maintained that Mexico is honoring its obligations based on current water availability, noting that droughts have severely impacted the country’s supply. She expressed optimism about reaching an agreement soon and dismissed concerns about escalating tensions, calling the treaty “fair.”
Sources cited by Reuters earlier in the week revealed that Mexican officials are urgently drafting plans to increase water transfers to the U.S., concerned that Trump might use the issue as leverage in trade talks.
However, enforcing this could create friction within Mexico itself. Northern states, protective of their own water reserves, may resist if the federal government invokes a recent amendment allowing it to draw additional water to fulfill international commitments, sources added.