Nafta invoked in U.S.-Mexican water dispute

Frustrated with diplomatic efforts to resolve a water dispute, Texas farmers are seeking monetary compensation from Mexico under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta). The action stems from Mexico’s failure to deliver all the water it owes to the Rio Grande under a 1944 treaty with the United States. In a letter sent last month to Mexico’s Economy Secretariat, lawyers for Texas water users requested US$500 million for economic losses they alleged were incurred in their state from 1992-2002. The amount includes the loss of some 100,000 acres (40,000 has) of irrigated farmland due to a shortage of Rio Grande water. The claim draws on research by Texas A&M University economist John Robinson. Representing the farmers, Washington D.C.-based... [Log in to read more]

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