Says Texas Is Thirsty
Just when we thought we’d seen it all, Donald Trump is now threatening tariffs—and yes, even cutting off water to Tijuana.
The reason? He claims Mexico is hoarding water that rightfully belongs to Texas farmers. According to him, 1.3 million acre-feet of water are missing. That’s not just a lot—it’s Texas’s entire sugar crop and citrus farms crying for help.
The 1944 Water Treaty requires Mexico to send water north every five years. Trump says Mexico isn’t keeping up. And now he wants payback: economic sanctions, closed borders, and zero agua for Baja.
His former Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, chimed in with promises of “escalating consequences.” That’s political code for: “We’re serious. Don’t make us come down there.”
Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz jumped in to stir the pot. He called the situation “a man-made crisis” and said Texas deserves better. Of course, he didn’t mention the part about record droughts on both sides of the border.
The U.S. already rejected Mexico’s latest water delivery proposal. That includes water needed for Tijuana. So yes—this could get very real, very fast.
But let’s take a breath. Treaties are tricky, and diplomacy still exists—somewhere. Baja’s not running dry just yet.
At the Gringo Gazette North, we say this: Let’s stay informed, not inflamed. If water’s the next border battle, let’s keep our cool—and maybe a backup jug, just in case.
This is Great Luisa! You scooped me on this. You might know I’ve been covering the water for Baja for quite some time now and I always feared the Treaty would be overlooked by the US, as they have never been good at keeping their treaty with their own American Indians.
It is really two separte things and two rivers.
I do believe it is by River Pack law, illegal to cut off water that should flow into a country.
And what the US politicians still don’t get is the reality of drought on the whole system.
You can send what you don’t have. But the colorado river belongs to Mexico too…it is just stored in lake Mead.
I’ve been writing since 2025 to keep an eye on the water. So here we are. 2026 is critical.
Martina
The Baja StoryTeller
Thanks, Martina! You’re absolutely right—and I knew you’d have the deeper historical lens on this. The moment Trump tweeted, I thought, “Martina’s going to have thoughts!” 😅
Totally agree: the treaty, the rivers, the law—so much complexity that gets lost in the sound bites. And yes, the drought reality gets ignored while politicians posture. I tried to keep the tone light, but what’s happening beneath the surface (or lack thereof) is serious stuff.
We’ll definitely keep pointing readers your way—nobody’s been watching Baja’s water story longer or more closely than you.
Here’s to staying alert, staying hydrated, and staying vocal.
Luisa