Mexico, US Reach Crucial Water Agreement Under 1944 Treaty

After months of tense negotiations and mounting diplomatic pressure, the governments of Mexico and the United States have reached an agreement to address the water delivery shortfall from the Rio Grande (known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico) under the terms of the 1944 Water Treaty. The agreement comes just months before the end of the current five-year water delivery cycle, which began on Oct. 25, 2020, and is set to conclude on Oct. 24, 2025.

The announcement was jointly made by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), and Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT), confirming that both countries have committed to immediate and future actions to mitigate the delivery deficit. These include water transfers from international reservoirs and an increased US share of water flow from six of Mexico’s tributaries to the Rio Grande.

The agreement underscores both nations’ commitment to the 1944 Water Treaty — considered foundational to cross-border water management and the development of northern Mexico. The country says it would prioritize ensuring the availability of water for human consumption in Mexican communities dependent on the Rio Bravo, while still fulfilling its treaty obligations.

The plan was formalized through the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) in coordination with the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), which is tasked with monitoring implementation and developing a long-term strategy for future cycles. This strategy includes annual high-level consultations to ensure compliance and manage basin conditions proactively.

US Officials Hail the Agreement as a Diplomatic and Agricultural Victory

US officials framed the outcome as a direct result of firm diplomacy and leadership under the Trump administration. Tammy Bruce, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, credited President Donald Trump for prioritizing Texas water needs and delivering on his promises. “The United States and Mexico are also committing to a long-term plan that includes additional monthly transfers and regular consultations,” says Bruce.

Brooke Rollins, US Secretary of Agriculture, described the agreement as “a major win for American agriculture,” highlighting the critical importance of water security for Texas ranchers and farmers. As part of the negotiations, the US Department of Agriculture allocated a US$280 million grant to the Texas Department of Agriculture to support affected producers — a move Rollins called a temporary but vital relief measure, as previously reported by MBN.

US Pressure and Mexican Rebuttals

The agreement follows increasing political pressure in the United States. In July 2024, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandates annual assessments of Mexico’s treaty compliance. Noncompliance could trigger sanctions, including limits on US foreign assistance to Mexico, and restrictions on aid from USAID and the US Trade and Development Agency, as MBN reported.

Earlier this year, tensions escalated when the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs denied a Mexican request for a special water delivery route from the Colorado River to Tijuana. President Trump subsequently threatened tariffs and sanctions, accusing Mexico of “stealing water from Texas farmers.” 

“Mexico owes Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water. We will keep escalating consequences until Mexico honors the Treaty,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, MBN reported.

Mexico Asserts Sovereignty and Focuses on Sustainability

On April 16, President Claudia Sheinbaum denied any excessive water deliveries to the United States, affirming that her administration is committed to upholding the treaty without jeopardizing Mexican agricultural producers. She emphasized the role of rainfall and dam storage levels in determining what can be delivered and reiterated the creation of a joint task force — comprising the SRE, CONAGUA, and SEMARNAT — to coordinate with US officials.

“We are complying with the treaty, but the drought conditions have made this cycle particularly difficult,” Sheinbaum stated, as previously reported by MBN.

On April 11, Mexico’s Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué also called Rollins and Landau, reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to water-sharing and outlining modernization efforts in key irrigation districts in Baja California, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas.

The Numbers Behind the Dispute

Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Mexico is required to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet (431.7m3) of water per year over five-year cycles, amounting to 1.75 million acre-feet (2,158.6m3) over the full period. If deficits occur due to drought or infrastructure issues, they must be made up in the next cycle. 

However, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Mexico has delivered only 530,508 acre-feet (654m3) from Oct. 25, 2020, through April 19, 2025 — just 30.29% of the required volume, with less than a year left in the current cycle.