U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty Runs Dry

The United States and Mexico are having a water fight, but there’s nothing fun about it.

Last week, the U.S. denied Mexico’s water delivery request from the Colorado River. This is the first time the U.S. refused to fulfill a request since entering a water agreement eight decades ago. 

A little context: The U.S. and Mexico signed a water treaty in 1944, which obligated Mexico to deliver water from the Rio Grande to Texas, while the U.S. gave Mexico water from the Colorado River. 

But Mexico hasn’t been holding up its end of the bargain for years. Under the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 350K acre-feet annually. However, it only delivered 488,634 acre-feet (total) between October 2020 and January 2025.

Feeling parched: Mexico says ongoing drought in the country has been the reason for delivery shortfalls. Meanwhile, the U.S. has still been delivering water to Mexico until last week despite similar challenges. 

Farmers rely on water deliveries for cotton, citrus, and other farm production. Small deliveries are challenging Texan agriculture as regional drought grows. More than 40% of Texas is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, compared to only 10% a year ago.

U.S. lawmakers had previously introduced legislation that could impose sanctions on Mexico and withhold aid if it fails to comply with the treaty. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said every option is on the table to get Mexico to fulfill its obligations, as the “situation is dire” for farmers and ranchers.