Northern Mexico farmers fight drought amid water dispute with the US.
Dead animals lie scattered across the planes of this cattle ranching town in northern Mexico, victims of a long-term drought that is forcing farmers here to consider uprooting their lives to look elsewhere for land and water.
More than 64% of Mexico’s territory is experiencing some level of drought, according to government data. Northern states are the hardest hit, particularly Chihuahua, with most of its territory engulfed by the most extreme levels of drought.
The struggles of farmers come as Mexico and the U.S. are in tense negotiations over Mexican delays in delivering the quantities of water laid out in a 1944 treaty.
President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs and sanctions if Mexico does not increase water deliveries which U.S. officials say have devastated Texan farmers. The Mexican government says drought has ravaged its ability to comply.
In the agricultural town of Julimes in Chihuahua, farmers are wondering how much longer they can survive.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to hold out much longer,” said cattle farmer Leopoldo Ochoa, 62, as he rode with his granddaughter on horseback behind his herd.
