Mario Mata says Chihuahua water supply safe amid partisan protests
Mario Mata, executive director of the Junta Central de Agua y Saneamiento (JCAS), asserted that the water supply in Chihuahua is not compromised and described the recent protest as a partisan action organized by the Morena party. He said the demonstration, which included paint‑splashed walls at the state palace, was meant to target the federal water agency Conagua rather than any real water shortage, and noted that no contract has been signed with the Israeli company Mekorot. Mata also highlighted that JCAS holds more than 60 agreements with institutions such as UNAM, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, municipalities and Conagua, and that the state ranks among the top five in Mexico for water provision, with roughly 9.4‑9.5 of every ten residents having access to potable water.
Separately, Ricardo Mejía Bardeja, subsecretary of Security and Protection, reported that eight families in Chihuahua control about 12 % of the water volume Mexico must deliver to the United States under the bilateral treaty, with the Urionabarrenechea family alone accounting for roughly 4 % of that volume. He linked these families to local political figures, including the ex‑governor César Duarte. Conagua head Blanca Jiménez reiterated that meeting treaty obligations does not endanger local water resources.
Entities: Conagua · Junta Central de Agua y Saneamiento (JCAS) · Mario Mata · Ricardo Mejía Bardeja · Urionabarrenecha family
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mario Mata said the water supply in Chihuahua is not compromised. (Mario Mata, executive director of JCAS)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Blanca Jiménez of Conagua said compliance with the treaty does not pose a risk to local water resources. (Blanca Jiménez, head of Conagua)
- [● 2 SOURCES] No contract has been signed with Israeli company Mekorot regarding water in Chihuahua. (Mario Mata, executive director of JCAS)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eight families in Chihuahua control about 12 % of the water volume Mexico must deliver to the United States under the treaty. (Ricardo Mejía Bardeja, subsecretary of Security and Protection)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 9.4‑9.5 out of every ten Chihuahua residents have access to potable water. (Mario Mata, executive director of JCAS)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The protest in Chihuahua was orchestrated by the Morena party and was 100 % partisan. (Mario Mata, executive director of JCAS)
- [● 2 SOURCES] JCAS has more than 60 agreements with institutions such as UNAM, IPN, municipalities and Conagua. (Mario Mata, executive director of JCAS)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Urionabarrenecha family controls about 4 % of the water volume destined for the United States. (Ricardo Mejía Bardeja, subsecretary of Security and Protection)