Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to the 1944 Water Treaty and binational cooperation with the United States for the management of water resources in the Rio Grande basin, in the context of an extraordinary drought affecting users of both countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
In a statement, the Mexican Foreign Ministry specified that an understanding was reached with the United States to strengthen water administration under the framework of the existing treaty and emphasized that Mexico has not violated any of its provisions.
Bilateral Understanding and New Water Deliveries The SRE indicated that, despite adverse and unprecedented hydrological conditions, Mexico made additional water deliveries within the limits established by the treaty, in accordance with the actual availability of the resource and existing infrastructure, without affecting human consumption or agricultural production in the border region.
According to the official statement, the actions taken over the past year demonstrate compliance in accordance with the actual availability of water, with full respect for the human right to access the resource and food security.
Both Governments reported in a joint statement that they had reached an understanding on water management corresponding to the current cycle and the deficit of the previous cycle, in accordance with Article 4 of the 1944 Water Treaty, and agreed on the need to strengthen water management mechanisms for the benefit of their populations.
As part of the agreement, Mexico expressed its intention to deliver 249.163 million cubic meters of water to the United States, with deliveries scheduled to begin the week of December 15.
The understanding comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs of 5 percent on Mexico for alleged violations of the bilateral treaty.
