Mexico disputes Texas’ claim to nine Rio Grande islands, says IBWC must decide – WOAI

Mexico disputes Texas’ claim to nine Rio Grande islands, says IBWC must decide  WOAI

Mexico is challenging Texas’ determination that nine islands in the Rio Grande belong to the state, saying the International Boundary and Water Commission must decide which side of the international border each island is on. In an Oct. 30 statement , Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the border “cannot be modified by a decision of a state government.” It cited the 1970 Boundary Treaty, which sets the international boundary along the middle of the river’s normal channel. The Texas General Land Office announced Oct. 26 that it had identified nine islands, totaling about 66 acres, as state property. The islands are along the Texas-Mexico border between Laredo and McAllen. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the GLO reviewed historical records, surveys, and other information to determine ownership.

“We just want to be sure that any Texas territory that is truly and legally Texas territory is declared as such so that we can defend it,” Buckingham told News 4 and Fox SA. The nine islands total about 66 acres and are located along the Texas-Mexico border between Laredo and McAllen, according to the GLO. Buckingham said CBP asked her to review 28 islands in the river total, but the others did not qualify as Texas land. Some may be Mexican territory, while others may not be entirely islands or may be