https://www.theblaze.com/news/trump-water-mexico-treaty-cruz
Trump admin cuts off water to Mexico over failure to comply with 1944 treaty
Mexico's president said the water commission is looking into the issue.
Cruz has been demanding that Mexico meet its water supply obligations, but it took the Trump administration to finally take action to protect the rights of farmers near the Rio Grande.
'Texas farmers are in crisis because of Mexico's noncompliance.'
A statement from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs on Thursday said that the U.S. was responding to Mexico's failure to comply by cutting off water to Tijuana, a city bordering California
"Mexico's continued shortfalls in its water deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing treaty are decimating American agriculture --- particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley," the bureau said. "As a result, today for the first time, the U.S. will deny Mexico's non-treaty request for a special delivery channel for Colorado River water to be delivered to Tijuana."
Cruz applauded the decision in a statement on social media.
"Excellent. As I said yesterday, this option is absolutely what the Trump administration needs to pressure Mexico to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty," he replied.
The decision is likely a part of the trade war initiated by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, who said he wanted Mexico to stop the illegal immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as fentanyl smuggling.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded by warning Trump and Americans that a trade war would cost jobs in both countries and raise the cost of goods and services.
Prior to the water announcement from the bureau, Sheinbaum had said that Mexico's national water agency and the International Boundary and Water Commission are actively looking to address the issue.
"It is being addressed by Conagua and CILA, which is in charge of reviewing this treaty," she said.
Cruz had raised the issue of the water treaty in a meeting with farmers, ranchers, and representatives from the Trump administration. He said the noncompliance from Mexico had led to devastating consequences for farmers in Texas who had been deprived of water resources.
"Texas farmers are in crisis because of Mexico's noncompliance," Cruz continued. "I will work with the Trump administration to pressure Mexico into complying and to get water to Texas farmers."
Watch the agua.
This water issue is the reason why Ted Cruz likely ran for President in the first place. President Trump likely promised that he would address the water issue with Mexico in exchange for Ted Cruz endorsing him for President. As usual, Promises made, Promises kept.
If the US controls to flow of Water into Mexico, how can Mexico's non-compliance impact American Farmers. Can someone please explain this to me?
Different rivers. Mexico has functional control of much of the water flow into the Rio Grande affecting parts of TX, and they are abusing it. To pressure Mexico to comply with that obligation, Trump cuts their water from a different source, the Colorado River, where the U.S. controls the flow.
Fun fact: the most polluted river in the U.S. is the New River, which flows northward from Mexico into California. Mexico doesn't meet it's obligations there, either.
(Note: I don't know how they determine "most polluted." I'm sure other rivers might qualify by measuring differently.)
Got it. Thanks for clearing that up.
I don't get it. Why do we need Mexico at all?
What's stopping us from just turning off the valve to Mexico, and turning on the valve to Texas?