In brief
Breaking news: Mexico’s foreign ministry reaffirmed that the U.S.-Mexico border is fixed by treaty, rejecting Texas’s claim over nine Rio Grande islands. The ruling references the 1970 boundary treaty and the International Boundary and Water Commission’s authority. Mexico will monitor the area and proceed by treaty mechanisms.
Mexico’s foreign ministry said on Friday that the U.S.-Mexico border cannot be altered by a U.S. state-level government, following a Texas claim over nine islands in the Rio Grande.
The claim was made by the Texas General Land Office, led by Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, who declared the islands property of the state of Texas.
Mexico’s statement cited the 1970 Boundary Treaty, under which the international boundary in the river follows the center line of the normal channel and determines sovereignty over land on either side, regardless of prior ownership.
The foreign ministry noted that the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is authorized by the two governments to carry out the treaty and to determine on which side of the boundary each island lies.
The ministry emphasized that no U.S. state-level body has the authority to make such determinations and that both sides may not build works that the IBWC finds could alter or obstruct the normal flow of the river.
Mexico said it will closely monitor any actions in the area and reiterated that it will abide by the treaty governing the shared border, pursuing dialogue through established mechanisms.
