Texas Border Business
By Texas Border Business Editorial Board
For generations, the Rio Grande has sustained the people, economy, and environment of South Texas. But that lifeline is now in danger. As drought intensifies and Mexico continues to fall short on its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, our region faces a future defined by scarcity — unless we act now.
At a recent press conference hosted by the Texas International Produce Association in Mission, regional leaders, including Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden, and Texas International Produce Association CEO Dante Galeazzi, issued an urgent call to action. Their message was clear: South Texas must demand accountability from Mexico and urge the U.S. government to make the 1944 Water Treaty enforceable through the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“For far too long—80 years—we have been held hostage by the Mexican government, which failed over and over to give us the water that they owed us,” said Congresswoman De La Cruz. “That’s why we lost our sugar cane industry—over 500 jobs and millions of dollars gone. That will not happen under my watch.”
Tying the treaty to USMCA would ensure that water deliveries become legally enforceable obligations, rather than diplomatic requests. As De La Cruz explained, “Currently, there are no consequences if Mexico fails to deliver. By integrating it into the USMCA, we create enforceable measures that protect our farmers, our economy, and our communities.”
This issue extends far beyond agriculture. Every city, business, and family in the Valley relies on a stable water supply. Without it, new housing developments, manufacturing projects, and infrastructure investments stall. As economic developers like Daniel Rivera of Elsa pointed out, “Water is the foundation for every home we build, every business park we design, and every factory we hope to land.”
The message from our leaders could not be clearer: no water, no growth, no life. Water security must be treated as an urgent national priority.
Texas Border Business joins in this call to action. Every resident of South Texas should take five minutes to make their voice heard. The U.S. Trade Representative is accepting public comments on this issue until November 3, 2025.
Visit https://comments.ustr.gov/s/submit-new-comment?docketNumber=USTR-2025-0004 and urge federal leaders to include the 1944 Water Treaty under USMCA enforcement.
Our communities, our economy, and our future depend on it. Because here in the Rio Grande Valley, one truth remains: no water, no life.
See related stories:
