By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Mexico reached an agreement with the U.S. on a plan to address the shortfall in water deliveries it owes the U.S., according to a joint statement from the U.S. secretaries of state and agriculture.

Mexico committed to a detailed plan to fully repay all outstanding water debt accrued during the five-year period from 2020-2025. This announcement comes after Mexico failed to make all the deliveries required under the 1944 Water Treaty.

In addition to paying back the water debt, Mexico will deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year in the current five-year cycle, which began last month and runs through 2030.

“Under President Trump’s leadership and direction, the Department of State, Department of Agriculture and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission have worked to secure Mexico’s commitment to meet its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, while also providing a plan to eliminate the deficit from the prior cycle, strengthening water security for Texas communities and U.S. agriculture,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The announcement followed a call last month between President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, during which the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to resolving longstanding water management challenges.

The 1944 Water Treaty outlines water delivery obligations between the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. is to deliver water from the Colorado River for use in Mexico, while Mexico is expected to deliver water from its tributaries back to the Rio Grande for use by farmers and communities in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Texas Farm Bureau has continually advocated for a solution to the water dispute with Mexico to provide certainty for farmers in the Valley and across South Texas.

“This commitment is a critical step toward restoring reliability and accountability in a system that Valley farmers depend on for their livelihoods,” said Jay Bragg, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities.

When the last five-year cycle ended in 2025, Mexico had only delivered 884,861 acre-feet— less than half of the 1.75 million acre-feet it owed the U.S.

That delay in deliveries strained irrigation supplies for farmers in the Rio Grande Valley and ultimately led to the closure of the state’s only sugar mill in 2024.

“For farmers who have already endured years of uncertainty, lost crops and reduced water allocations, consistent deliveries moving forward will be just as important as repaying the debt,” Bragg said.

The Trump administration said both countries will hold monthly meetings to ensure timely, consistent deliveries and to prevent future deficits.