The Chamber of Deputies approved the reform to the National Waters Law in general with 328 votes in favor, despite protests from farmers who blocked highways and demanded dialogue. The initiative, pushed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, prioritizes the human right to water and bans its hoarding, with penalties of up to eight years in prison for water crimes. The Senate is set to vote on it this Thursday.
On December 3, 2025, the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies began discussing the new General Water Law and reforms to the National Waters Law, proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Despite demands from the opposition (PAN and PRI) and agribusiness producers to postpone the debate, Morena and its allies approved the 'fast-track' process, waiving procedures. The Hydraulic Resources Commission approved the 537-page opinion with 28 votes in favor, 10 against, and 2 abstentions.
The general vote resulted in 328 in favor, 131 against, and 5 abstentions. The Board President, Kenia López, opposed the accelerated process, stating: “I do not agree with this ‘fast-track’”. The opinion includes over 50 modifications to address farmers' demands, such as preserving the right to sell or inherit land with water concessions, and renames 'Water Crimes' to 'Crimes against National Waters', reducing penalties.
Morena deputy Arturo Ávila defended the reform: “What we are doing is setting aside the 1992 legislation that was fundamentally used to favor people with economic power”. Ávila mentioned practices of “water huachicol” by PRI and PAN hoarders, and assured that the 50 changes benefit farmers by strengthening property rights.
Nevertheless, farmers from the National Front for the Rescue of the Mexican Countryside, led by Eraclio Rodríguez Gómez, accused betrayal: “It is a vile betrayal of the agreements that had been reached”. They carried out blockades on highways like Puebla-Orizaba and Acatzingo-Cd. Mendoza, and announced more protests, including in the Zócalo on December 6. The Association of Mining Engineers (Aimmgm) expressed concern over impacts on the industry, which uses only 0.27% of national water.
Sheinbaum defended the law: “It is to avoid overexploitation and guarantee the right to water”. Currently, 529 reservations from 154 legislators are being discussed, and the Senate, with Ignacio Mier, plans to approve it on Thursday, possibly in an alternate venue due to mobilizations.
