Facing pressure over unmet water obligations to the U.S., President Donald Trump has threatened Mexico with further tariffs and possible sanctions if it fails to uphold a 1944 treaty requiring the delivery of 1.75 million acre-feet of Rio Grande water every five years.
With two-thirds of the quota still outstanding and only six months left in the cycle, Trump announced on Truth Social that his administration would escalate pressure until the agreement is fulfilled.
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country would begin delivering water “immediately,” despite severe shortages. She addressed Texas farmers directly, promising “millions of cubic meters” would be sent based on Rio Grande levels, though no exact figures or dates were provided. Sheinbaum expressed hope that the rainy season would ease the drought and allow for additional deliveries.
Mexico’s water authority, CONAGUA, maintains the country is willing but currently unable to comply due to historically low reservoir levels at Amistad, Falcon, and other key dams.
A CONAGUA official emphasized that both nations benefit from the treaty and blamed climate change for worsening drought conditions.
While Sheinbaum dismissed Trump’s threats as typical rhetoric, she confirmed that a binational working group is actively addressing the situation and reviewing the treaty’s technical details.
Officials from Mexico’s International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) noted that under treaty provisions, drought conditions permit a five-year extension to make up for any shortfalls.
