Detailed analysis of the binational agreement on water resources
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has established a technical criterion to comply with the obligations of the Water Treaty of 1944 between Mexico and the United States, prioritizing national supply in the face of a prolonged drought. During his morning conference, he explained that the federal government carried out an exhaustive evaluation of the volumes available in the La Amistad (Coahuila) and Falcón (Tamaulipas) border dams, which barely reached 13% and 8% of their capacity, respectively, according to verified data.
Technical strategy and intergovernmental coordination
The agreement, negotiated after weeks of work with the state governments of Chihuahua, Tamaulipas and Coahuila, expressly excludes the El Cuchillo dam (Nuevo León) due to its non-international nature. Sheinbaum emphasized: “Only what is possible will be delivered without compromising the human right to water or agricultural irrigation,”, even citing the Benemérito de las Américas to contextualize the Mexican position.
The president explained that the recent rains in Tamaulipas allowed resources to be optimized, reducing pressure on reserves. In addition, efficient irrigation measures will be implemented in Chihuahua, Sonora and Coahuila to progressively comply with the treaty. It should be noted that the historical non-compliance was due to climatic factors, not negligence, as he reiterated.
International mechanisms and transparency
The agreement includes for the first time an annual evaluation meeting between the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and US authorities, in order to adjust deliveries according to availability. Six tributaries of the Rio Grande mentioned in the treaty will be prioritized: Conchos, Las Vacas, San Diego, San Rodrigo, Escondido and Salado. However, the exact volume compromised was not publicly specified, although Sheinbaum promised to publish a technical statement with the details.
From Washington, the State Department praised the agreement as an “example of leadership”, although associating it with President Trump. However, experts in water diplomacy point out that this pact reflects a delicate balance between legal compliance and national water security, especially in a context of climate stress that has affected the region since 2020.
Historical context and projections
The Treaty of 1944, signed during World War II, regulates the exchange of waters from the Colorado River (US to Mexico) and the Bravo River (Mexico to the US). Data from the IBWC indicate that Mexico had a deficit in deliveries since 2021 due to the 37% decrease in precipitation in the Bravo basin. Sheinbaum clarified that the new scheme seeks to avoid trade sanctions (such as the tariffs threatened by Trump) without sacrificing local needs.
What’s next? The government will monitor dam levels and promote sustainable agriculture technologies to reduce consumption. Meanwhile, the CILA will coordinate with Texas to monitor partial deliveries.
Are you interested in the geopolitics of water? Share this analysis and explore more about water challenges in our sustainability section.
Sources: CILA, CONAGUA, climate analysis of Grupo REFORMA.
