Following the December 13 agreement with the US to deliver 249 million cubic meters of Rio Grande water, Mexico still owes over 50%—1,170 million cubic meters—of its 2020-2025 obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, says Water Advisory Council president Raúl Rodríguez. The deal averts Trump's tariff threats, with more payments planned.
Building on the December 13, 2025, bilateral agreement detailed in prior coverage—which commits Mexico to releasing 249.163 million cubic meters starting mid-December to address part of the deficit—Water Advisory Council president Raúl Rodríguez highlighted the scale of Mexico's accumulated debt. In a MILENIO Televisión interview, he stated that for the 2020-2025 cycle, Mexico owes 1,170 million cubic meters out of the required 2,185 million, exceeding 50%.
This follows former President Trump's threats of 5% tariffs, prompting negotiations. Rodríguez noted the initial payment covers 25-30% of the debt within two months, with the rest to be renegotiated for the 2025-2030 period. He assured that sourcing water from international bodies would spare northern Mexico's agricultural producers, minimizing local impacts and stabilizing cross-border relations without commercial escalations.
