Mexico rejects Texas claim over nine Rio Grande islands

Rio Grande Claudia Sheinbaum Texas General Land Office CILA border dispute

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected a claim by the Texas government to sovereignty over nine islands located in the Rio Grande. Sheinbaum attributed the move by Texas authorities to electoral interests, noting that midterm elections are being held in the United States.

The dispute arose after Dawn Buckingham, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, announced that the state had identified nine islands—including Nixon, La Bota, and Miller 1 and 2—as state property. The islands, totaling approximately 27 hectares, were claimed to facilitate border security and prevent criminal groups from using them for smuggling and human trafficking.

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) stated that state authorities lack the power to unilaterally modify international borders. The SRE emphasized that sovereignty over these territories must be determined by the International Boundary and Water Commission (CILA), a bilateral body established under the 1970 Boundary Treaty. The commission is responsible for conducting measurements to determine which side of the border the islands fall on based on the natural movement of the river.

Entities

Claudia Sheinbaum · Dawn Buckingham · International Boundary and Water Commission · Mexico · Texas General Land Office

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] President Claudia Sheinbaum attributed the Texas claim to electoral motives. cybermexico.mx · mayacomunicacion.com.mx · lahoguera.mx · actualidad-rt.com · eldia.com.do · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The islands include Nixon, La Bota, Tex Mex 2, McKendricks, Lost Boot, Clark, Zachary, Miller 1, and Miller 2. cybermexico.mx
[● 8 SOURCES] Texas authorities claimed ownership of nine islands in the Rio Grande. cybermexico.mx · mayacomunicacion.com.mx · elchamuco.com.mx · lahoguera.mx · actualidad-rt.com · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The International Boundary and Water Commission (CILA) is the body responsible for determining the sovereignty of the islands. cybermexico.mx · mayacomunicacion.com.mx · elchamuco.com.mx · lahoguera.mx · actualidad-rt.com · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The 1970 Boundary Treaty defines the border between Mexico and the United States. elchamuco.com.mx · eldia.com.do · vanguardia.com.mx
[○ 1 SOURCE] The islands were identified following a request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. elchamuco.com.mx
[● 2 SOURCES] The nine islands cover approximately 27 hectares. lahoguera.mx · vanguardia.com.mx
[● 5 SOURCES] Texas intends to use the islands for border surveillance and to combat criminal activities. mayacomunicacion.com.mx · elchamuco.com.mx · actualidad-rt.com · lucesdelsiglo.com · vanguardia.com.mx