Sheinbaum Denies Excess Water Transfer to United States

President Claudia Sheinbaum denied that Mexico is sending more water to the United States than what is required under the 1944 Water Treaty. She emphasized that her administration is working closely with the governors of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua to reach a coordinated agreement on how much water can be transferred without impacting Mexican producers. 

“Claims suggesting there is no agreement or that excess water is being handed over are false,” she said. Sheinbaum added that the amount of water to be delivered will depend on dam storage levels throughout the year and the behavior of the rainy season.

Sheinbaum explained that a joint task force is in place with US officials. It includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CONAGUA, and the Ministry of Environment. This group is responsible for ensuring both countries comply with the decades-old water treaty.

“The 1944 treaty requires both the United States and Mexico to provide water. In recent years, Mexico has struggled to meet its quota due to ongoing drought conditions. There simply has not been enough water,” said Sheinbaum.

Under the agreement, Mexico is obligated to deliver an average of 432 million m3 of water per year from the Rio Bravo to the United States, while the  United States must provide Mexico with 1.89 billion m3 from the Colorado River. These commitments are managed in five-year cycles. If severe drought occurs, shortfalls can be made up in the next cycle. However, if dams are filled with US water, the cycle is considered complete and any outstanding volumes are waived.