Valley farmers demand accountability as Mexico agrees to release a portion of water it owes the U.S.

After months of mounting political pressure and warnings from South Texas farmers, Mexico said it will begin releasing water from the Rio Grande this week to pay a portion of the water debt it owes the U.S.

The move prompted cautious optimism — and renewed demands for accountability — from agricultural leaders across the Rio Grande Valley, who warned that Mexico’s continued noncompliance threatens more than 1 million residents and 500,000 acres of irrigated farmland in South Texas.

On Friday, Mexico agreed to release about 202,000 acre-feet of water, according to Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs. That represents roughly one-quarter of what it owes the U.S. under a 1944 treaty.

Valley agricultural leaders said the renewed talks were driven in part by recent statements from President Donald Trump, who threatened a 5% tariff against Mexico if water deliveries do not begin promptly.

“On behalf of the fruit, vegetable, and row crop farmers in the Rio Grande Valley, we are grateful for President Trump’s recent statement regarding Mexico’s continual violation of the 1944 Water Treaty and his authorization to impose penalties against Mexico if they do not immediately begin releasing water. As a result, Mexico returned to the negotiating table,” farm leaders said in a joint statement via the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), which is headquartered in Mission.

Late Friday, the U.S. government announced what agricultural groups described as “a new understanding for the delivery of a portion of the overdue water and a path forward for paying the remaining debt and the yearly water obligation.”

“While we await details, we stand ready to assist our federal and state partners to ensure deliveries are maximized for beneficial use by the agricultural industry,” the TIPA statement said.

More than 800,000 acre-feet owed

At the conclusion of the five-year treaty cycle that ended Oct. 24, Mexico’s water debt totaled more than 800,000 acre-feet. 

Mexico must also begin meeting its yearly delivery obligation under the treaty, a requirement farm groups say is just as critical as addressing the accumulated shortfall.

Both deliveries are vital, they said, as crops are already in the ground and growers are making decisions that will shape future planting seasons.

“We applaud the Administration’s recent actions, but Mexico must honor this new agreement or face consequences,” Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden said. “The short- and long-term impacts on Texas farmers are beyond the data on paper. Livelihoods have been uprooted, and the region’s agricultural landscape may never be the same again. Meanwhile, Mexico continues to expand its agricultural production that directly competes with U.S. producers…with water that should have been delivered to the U.S.”

Industry leaders warn against delays

TIPA President and CEO Dante Galeazzi said recent deliveries were insufficient to address the broader deficit.

“While Mexico did deliver some water this year, thanks to pressure by the Trump Administration, it was not enough to cover the debt,” Galeazzi said. 

He urged both countries to quickly implement the new understanding. 

“The U.S. must not allow Mexico to delay fulfilling its obligations, or it risks Mexico overusing water resources that should be shared — a tactic taken by Mexico for years without penalty or accountability,” Galeazzi said.

He also noted that prolonged uncertainty surrounding treaty compliance has already altered planting patterns and increased financial risk across the Rio Grande Valley, where agriculture relies almost entirely on Rio Grande flows for irrigation.

Congressional and state response

Texas Farm Bureau leaders said the treaty has been a central issue during recent meetings in Washington, D.C., including discussions with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, State Department representatives, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and members of Congress.

“Our RGV members have struggled for decades to maintain their family farming operations due to Mexico’s inconsistent compliance. ‘Enough is enough,’ is the message we delivered to the Administration and Congress,” said Russell Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau. “With the announcement of this new understanding, it’s clear they heard our voices, and for that we are grateful.”

Brian Jones, a Texas Farm Bureau state director and Rio Grande Valley farmer, said enforcement will determine whether the new agreement delivers meaningful relief.

“President Trump’s authorization to hold Mexico accountable is a game-changer; however, any new deal by Mexico must be honored and include full payment of the debt,” he said. “If I were in debt, to the equivalent of Mexico’s 800,000 acre-feet, my farm would be foreclosed on.”