For the first time in over 80 years, the United States has denied Mexico’s request for additional water from the Colorado River, citing violations of a longstanding water-sharing treaty.
This unprecedented decision has escalated tensions between the two nations, particularly as both grapple with severe drought conditions and increasing water demands.
The 1944 Water Treaty and Its Challenges
The dispute revolves around the 1944 Water Treaty, which governs the allocation of water from the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers between the U.S. and Mexico. Under this agreement, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S.
from the Rio Grande over five-year cycles, while the U.S. must supply 1.5 million acre-feet annually from the Colorado River to Mexico. However, Mexico has fallen significantly behind in its commitments during the current cycle, which ends in October 2025.
By late 2024, Mexico had delivered only about a quarter of its required water quota under the treaty. Severe drought conditions in northern Mexico have compounded these delays, leading Mexican officials to request leniency and emergency water deliveries to alleviate shortages in Tijuana, a major border city reliant on the Colorado River.
The U.S. Decision and Its Implications
The U.S. Department of State formally denied Mexico’s request for a special delivery of Colorado River water in March 2025. Officials justified this decision by pointing to Mexico’s ongoing failure to meet its treaty obligations, emphasizing that these shortfalls have severely impacted American agriculture—particularly in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.
Farmers in this region have faced devastating losses due to reduced irrigation supplies, with some attributing the closure of Texas’ last sugar mill in 2024 to insufficient water deliveries from Mexico.
This decision marks a significant departure from past practices. Historically, the U.S. has shown flexibility by granting extensions or negotiating agreements when Mexico struggled to meet its obligations, as seen during previous droughts in 2002 and 2010. However, current political pressures and worsening water scarcity appear to have shifted priorities.
Rising Tensions Along the Border
The refusal has sparked political tensions on both sides of the border. In Texas, lawmakers and agricultural leaders have called for stricter measures against Mexico, including potential sanctions or withholding aid until compliance improves. Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott have publicly criticized Mexico’s handling of its water obligations, urging stronger federal action to protect American farmers.
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the challenges posed by drought but maintained that her government is committed to fulfilling its treaty responsibilities. She also highlighted ongoing efforts by Mexico’s national water agency (Conagua) and international boundary commissions to address these issues.
Broader Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change has exacerbated water scarcity across North America, straining resources shared by both countries. Prolonged droughts have reduced river flows in both the Rio Grande and Colorado River basins, making it increasingly difficult for either nation to meet rising agricultural and urban demands.
The situation underscores the need for long-term cooperation and sustainable water management strategies between the U.S. and Mexico.