U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have expressed their concerns over the closure of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc.’s sugarcane mill due to acute water shortages. In a joint statement, the senators attributed the closure to Mexico’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 Treaty of Utilization of Waters.
Cornyn and Cruz emphasized the impact of Mexico’s non-compliance on farmers and ranchers in South Texas, stating that more closures are likely unless Mexico acts to meet its obligations. They called the current situation "unsustainable and unacceptable" and urged the U.S. government to use diplomatic measures to ensure Mexico's compliance.
Senator Cruz previously introduced a resolution addressing the water shortages faced by Texas farmers and advocating for diplomatic efforts to compel Mexico to provide the required water deliveries. He also pushed for an amendment that would have required the Secretary of State to utilize American diplomacy to secure Mexican compliance with the treaty, although the amendment did not pass a filibuster despite bipartisan support.
The senators pledged to continue seeking ways to support the agriculture community in South Texas, which is suffering from the lack of water. They underscored the importance of upholding the treaty obligations to safeguard the interests of farmers and ranchers in the region.