The Inquiry

Why does Mexico owe the US water?

Sep 23, 2025
The podcast dives into the historical context of a 1944 water-sharing treaty between the US and Mexico, highlighting Mexico's struggle to deliver on its commitments. As droughts intensify, both nations face mounting pressures with farmers and cities affected by water shortages. The tensions escalate with accusations from former President Trump, framing the issue around water theft. Experts discuss the complexities of international water law and the urgent need for cooperative solutions to manage shared resources.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Treaty Built On Unusually Wet Record

  • The 1944 treaty legally obliges Mexico to deliver 430 million cubic metres yearly from the Rio Grande to the US.
  • Treaty authors assumed wetter historical flows and did not foresee prolonged multi-decade droughts that now undermine those assumptions.
INSIGHT

Drought Has Become The New Normal

  • Mexico has repeatedly fallen short, delivering barely 40% so far in the current five-year cycle and likely missing the October deadline.
  • Experts say drought has become the norm, turning 'extraordinary drought' exceptions into recurring conditions.
ANECDOTE

Farmers Storm Dam Over Treaty Water

  • In 2020 Mexican farmers in Chihuahua rioted and stormed a dam as water intended to meet treaty obligations was diverted, causing clashes and one death.
  • That domestic unrest illustrates the intense local pressures Mexican authorities face when reallocating scarce water.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app