House passes bill to hold nearly $8M from Mexico over water treaty

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ValleyCentral) — A new bill was approved by the House last Friday withholding funds from Mexico until it meets the water treaty.

Congressman Vincente Gonzalez and other Rio Grande Valley lawmakers laid out their terms in the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill. For funds to resume, Mexico would have to send over one-and-half million acre-feet of water before October 2025.

Gonzalez says the $8 million of funding withheld does very little to help area farmers suffering from drought damages, he said, "The lack of water has billions of dollars in economic damage to our region, so $7.9 million is nothing. In fact, they’ll pay us $7.9 million to keep our water. But it’s sending a message that we’re taking this seriously.”

Gonzalez believes sanctions would do more to get Mexico to send the water it owes.

Craig Harmon with the Cameron County Drainage District says Mexico is also facing a drought. “They have about a year and a half to deliver not only that but what is required in the fall for the rest of the six months and for next year. So, can they really do that? It’s very difficult to say," Harmon said.

Harmon added the treaty exempts Mexico if it declares “an extraordinary drought.” However, he says the latest storms may prevent Mexico from invoking this. “The real big winner is, I think as a result of that storm, was Mexico. El Cuchillo Dam saw a 52% increase in water, and that’s outstanding for Mexico, and it helps with what was a pretty dry area.”

Another solution to this issue is in talks with Mexico. Gonzalez plans to meet with incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and reiterates “I’m going to be in Mexico City in two weeks, meeting with the incoming president and meeting with the foreign minister, and at the top of my agenda is getting our water repayment.”