Ted Cruz Presses State Department Nominee on Mexico Water Dispute, Cartel Threats

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) pressed the State Department nominee last week on how he would address two issues currently affecting Texans: Mexico’s failure to meet its water-sharing obligations and the growing threat posed by Mexican cartels.

During a United States Senate confirmation hearing last week, Sen. Cruz questioned nominee Juan Segura, who would only oversee the Western Hemisphere as an assistant secretary of state if confirmed, about how he would address these foreign policy challenges, emphasizing their impact on Texans. According to Sen. Cruz, Mexico’s inability to deliver the demands of the 1944 Water Treaty continues to push farmers into severe drought, and the country’s cartel violence remains a growing threat to Americans.

Under that water-sharing agreement, Mexico is required to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water every five years, or just about 350,000 acre-feet every year. Sen. Cruz said he has “repeatedly pressed” Mexico to deliver the remaining water it owes, but Mexico has failed to do so.

“Mexico still owes us over 600,000 acre-feet of water from prior commitments,” Sen. Cruz said.

Although Segura said he has not seen the severity of the drought in Texas, he reassured Sen. Cruz that the State Department would continue combating the impact of Mexico’s failure to comply with the water treaty if appointed.

“In the last year, we’ve gotten more water to Texas farmers than in the last 4 years under the previous administration,” Segura said. “So, I know the State Department is making good progress, but we’ve got to hold Mexico accountable, and I’m committed to doing that.”

Segura also said he would ensure the department uses all available resources to combat cartel activity. He added that the department has already achieved certain milestones that have not been done before, including classifying cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).

“That gives us a lot more tools at our disposal to go after these organizations,” he said. “We have to use every tool available to us to go after cartels. And if confirmed, I look forward to working with you and the committee to do that.”

Cruz emphasized the broader national security implications of cartel activity, arguing that Mexico City’s “runaway policies” are “fueling American deaths,” but especially Texans.

“These cartels are sophisticated transnational criminal organizations that control territory that moves billions of dollars in illicit revenue, and operate with capabilities that rival those of some state actors,” Sen. Cruz said. “They should be treated as the threat that they are.”