New US-Mexico water deal: Texas Citrus Mutual’s perspective

MISSION, TEXAS – U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz held a press conference at the offices of Texas Citrus Mutual in Mission on April 29, 2025, to announce increased water deliveries from Mexico. 

De La Cruz said the U.S. has accepted Mexico’s proposal to increase water deliveries through multiple sources, ensuring a diversification of water supplies requested by Texas stakeholders. 

De La Cruz said the water deliveries will total approximately between 324,00 to 420,000 acre feet between now and October. 

In addition to Rep. De La Cruz, remarks from the podium were made by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez and Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden. 

The video below features an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Murden upon completion of the press conference:

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Asked for his reaction to the new U.S.-Mexico agreement, Murden said: 

“This is a great announcement. It could not have come at a better time,” Murden said.

“Going into the summer with record low levels, National Weather Service forecasts, drought, I’ve probably been more worried going into this spring than any in the past 30 that I’ve been involved with. So this announcement could not have come at a better time.”

Asked what he believes the new agreement to be, Murden said:

“I think the biggest part for me is an immediate transfer of some water and then a plan to get us in through October that will basically give us more than what an annual payment would be. 

“I haven’t really seen the details, but that’s the gist of it. I’m just excited about an immediate transfer that will help a lot of us get through the summer, especially our citrus crops.”

There had been fears that Rio Grande Valley’s citrus industry would go the way of its sugar industry. Namely into oblivion. Asked if the new U.S.-Mexico agreement will save citrus, Murden said:

“We have hope. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. If you had asked me that yesterday. I told you I was very very worried about it.”

Asked for any wrap-up remarks, Murden said: “We just appreciate both governments’ willingness to finally work together toward a solution.”

Murden: It is imperative Mexico fulfills new water agreement 

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Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden recently penned an op-ed on the topic of the new U.S.-Mexico water deal. Here it is:

Rio Grande Valley agriculture has endured significant losses over the past five years due to Mexico’s persistent noncompliance with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. Many of our farmers faced the difficult reality of not planting crops, losing orchards, and struggling to maintain their livelihoods because the water owed to the United States never arrived.

Today, we express our deep gratitude to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, Secretary Rollins, and Deputy Secretary Landau for making this issue a top priority and leading a successful effort to hold Mexico accountable. Their leadership — along with the strong support of Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Representatives Monica De La Cruz, Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez, Tony Gonzales, and House Appropriations Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart — has delivered a critical breakthrough.

Because of their work, Mexico has agreed to deliver some of the water it owes to the United States immediately, with additional deliveries over the next six months. These deliveries are  beneficial for both municipal and agricultural needs. For farmers, this new deal — assuming Mexico complies — means that some who would not have planted this season may now be able to plant, and others may be able to save trees and rebuild operations that have been at the brink.

This agreement is not a complete solution. Years of lost water cannot be recovered overnight, and today’s deal will not make agriculture whole. However, it represents a critical first step toward restoring the certainty our farmers and communities need. Water is the foundation of our agricultural economy, and any progress toward restoring consistent deliveries is welcomed.

We are realistic. Mexico has a history of failing to meet its obligations, and it chose not to deliver water when it had the ability to do so. Nevertheless, we are encouraged that this Administration has shown a commitment to not only bring Mexico to the table but to stay engaged, ensuring that commitments are enforced.

Rio Grande Valley agriculture will continue working closely with the Administration to monitor Mexico’s compliance. It is imperative that Mexico fulfills this new agreement and, importantly, begins meeting its obligations for the new cycle immediately, not waiting until the end of the five-year window.

In closing, we are grateful — sincerely and deeply — to the Administration for prioritizing the needs of American farmers and rural communities. We are cautiously optimistic that this is the beginning of a new era of accountability and adherence to the 1944 Water Treaty. The future of Rio Grande Valley agriculture depends on it.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual. He can be reached by email via: dale@valleyag.org.

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