Mexico Files Diplomatic Complaint After Texas Breaks Boundaries Treaty With Rio Grande Floating Barriers

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is constructing floating barriers around the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing. However, these may have broken the border boundaries treaty between Mexico and the US.

Mexico's top diplomat, Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena, has already sent a diplomatic note to the US government, expressing concerns that the Texas floating barriers along the Rio Grande may be violating the 1944 and 1970 treaties on boundaries and water.

The Mexican government will send an inspection team to the river to take a look at the floating barriers and see if they extend to the Mexico side of the river, according to the Associated Press. The foreign relations secretary stated that "if the buoys impede the flow of water, it would violate the treaties, which requires the river remain unobstructed." The country has already asked the US to remove those barriers.

Barcena also complained about the barbed wire being installed on a low-lying island in the river near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Rio Grande Floating Barriers May Cause More Drowning Deaths

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is spending billions of taxpayer money to secure the US-Mexico border and stop migrants from crossing, Part of that effort is deterring migrants from crossing the Rio Grande with those floating barriers.

However, Migrants Rights advocates are also raising alarms over those floating barriers. They pointed out that these things are drowning risks as those who are not deterred by them might drown. Environmentalists are also not very fond of the barriers as these things could have a negative impact on the environment.

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2 News pointed out that once these floating barriers are installed, they will be anchored in the river bed. It will cover a 1,000-foot or 305-meter stretch of the Rio Grande, including the orange buoys that make up its above-river parts and the webbings that connect them. A local kayaking company has already filed a lawsuit against these buoys.

Abbott has been under fire for his harsh immigration policies, which include allowing the Texas National Guard to arrest illegal immigrants and also bus migrants and asylum seekers to liberal cities and states. This tactic is being copied by ally Ron DeSantis, who is currently running for president but is being investigated by a Texas sheriff for fraudulently luring these migrants from shelters to be bused for his political stunts.

Rio Grande Floating Barriers May Not Deter Migrants From Crossing Into Texas

Critics and experts are pointing out that these barriers may be nothing more than a speed bump from migrants trying to cross from Mexico, with migration and border expert Adam Isacson telling BBC News that the act is "pure theatre" as it only looks good for the cameras and will not really do anything.

Texas-based Nicaraguan activist Justine Ochoa also warned that some of the migrants might try other places to cross, including the more "inhospitable" parts of the Rio Grande. Her organization, Texas Nicaraguans, regularly helps repatriate the remains of Nicaraguan citizens who drown in the river.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'Floating barrier' to be placed in Rio Grande to prevent migrants from crossing the river - KENS 5: Your San Antonio News Source