RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — South Texas farmers are still waiting for critical water deliveries from Mexico, despite a recent agreement aimed at addressing long-standing shortages under the 1944 water treaty.
Under the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. every five years from the Rio Grande. According to the Texas Farm Bureau, Mexico has fallen short by as much as 800,000 to 925,000 acre-feet in the current cycle.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) says the latest agreement is already falling behind expectations.
“The deal was that they were going to give us a specific amount of water by the end of March,” De La Cruz said. “And unfortunately, once again, Mexico does not look like they will be able to meet that goal.”
Rio Grande Valley citrus grower Fred Karle says while some water has been delivered, it’s far from enough.
“It didn’t amount to like an inch and a half per acre across the country that’s irrigated, and so that was a step in the right direction, but we need some giant steps,” Karle said.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) says he has raised the issue directly with Mexican officials: “I was in Mexico City with members of Congress, and I brought this up; other members brought up, we said, well, you’ve got to give us, you know, you’ve got to pay your water. They said they’re getting there, they’re getting there.”
The ongoing shortfall raises questions about enforcement and future consequences. Meanwhile, De La Cruz says she is working to hold Mexico accountable through federal action.
“I have already put language in appropriations directing the Secretary of State, which is Secretary Rubio right now, that he would be allowed to keep money from Mexico in response to them not meeting their obligations,” she explained.
For producers like Karle, the situation remains dire amid ongoing drought conditions.
“Well, we just pray for rain,” he said. “We’ve had a real drought here in the Valley, we didn’t get fall rains, Thanksgiving, Christmas rains. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Even if Mexico fulfills its obligations, Cuellar warns it may not be enough due to growing demand and population increases in the region.
Frank McCaffrey reporting for RFD NEWS.
