Lawmakers from the Rio Grande Valley are engaging with Mexico's president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, to discuss the water debt owed to the United States, as stipulated by the 1944 international treaty. U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz has formally requested a meeting to address the water deliveries that Mexico has yet to fulfil. Highlighting the acute water scarcity in South Texas, De La Cruz emphasizes the urgency of resolving this issue for the benefit of communities and agricultural stakeholders in the region.
Concurrently, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has announced plans for discussions with Sheinbaum and her incoming cabinet members, aiming to address not only the water debt but also border security and other bilateral concerns. The 1944 Water Treaty obligates Mexico to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States over a five-year cycle. However, delays have been frequent, impacting agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley. With the current cycle ending in October 2025, Mexico is behind on delivering 400,000 acre-feet of water, underscoring the urgency for diplomatic engagement on this matter.
Source: borderreport.com