US Senator Wants to Sanction Mexico Over 1944 Water Treaty

US Senator Ted Cruz has issued a strong warning that Mexico must comply with the 1944 Water Treaty or it will face sanctions. Through his X account, Cruz highlights the dire situation that farmers and ranchers in Texas' Rio Grande Valley face, accusing Mexico of failing to meet its treaty obligations while the United States continues to exceed its own commitments.

"Today, I hosted farmers and ranchers from across the Rio Grande Valley, with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Representative Monica De La Cruz. Their situation is dire. Mexico is refusing to comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty to provide water from the Rio Grande to the United States, even while we go above and beyond our own obligations to give Mexico water. The effects on Texas have been catastrophic," says Cruz.

He also reiterates his commitment to introducing new legislation to impose consequences on Mexico. He adds that he is working alongside the Trump administration to explore options, including withholding aid and restricting US water allocations to Mexico without breaching the treaty.

USDA Announces US$280 Million Relief Grant

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a significant financial relief initiative. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated a US$280 million grant to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to support farmers and producers affected.

"Farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley have worked for generations to feed communities across Texas, the United States, and beyond. A lack of water has already ended sugarcane production in the Valley and is putting the future of citrus, cotton, and other crops at risk. Through this grant, USDA is expediting much-needed economic relief while we continue working with federal, state, and local leadership to push for long-term solutions," says Rollins.

"The Texas agriculture community helps feed, clothe, and fuel our entire country. Today's announcement of more than US$280 million in emergency assistance is great news for South Texans, many of whom have been greatly impacted by Mexico’s failure to deliver water under the 1944 Water Treaty," says US Senator John Cornyn.

Mexico’s Treaty Obligations and Deficit

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. It also states that if Mexico fails to meet the quota due to drought or infrastructure issues, deficits must be compensated in the following five-year cycle.

However, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), which is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico, Mexico has delivered only 488,634 acre-feet (603m3 )in the current cycle, which spans from Oct. 25, 2020, to March 15, 2025, only 65% of the required amount.

Legislative Actions and Potential Sanctions

Cruz and Cornyn say that this is a recurring problem. In July 2024, they introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment mandates annual reporting by the US Secretary of State on whether Mexico has met its water delivery obligations. If Mexico is found to be noncompliant, the legislation authorizes sanctions, including:

• Prohibiting US Agency for International Development (USAID) aid to Mexico’s private sector .

• Barring US Trade and Development Agency funds for grantees in Mexico.

• Capping foreign assistance to Mexico at 85% of appropriated levels, exempting only anti-opioid and synthetic drug programs.