The Mexican Senate has overwhelmingly approved a transformative constitutional amendment that fundamentally redefines water from a market commodity to a legally protected human right. The landmark legislation passed with substantial support, receiving 85 votes in favor against 36 opposed, including particularly strong backing from 82 parliamentarians with only 34 dissenters.
Originating from an initiative by President Claudia Sheinbaum and previously advanced by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill represents a comprehensive response to critical water management challenges. The legislation specifically targets systemic issues including water misuse, illegal extraction operations, and black market water trafficking that have plagued Mexico’s water security.
According to Senate documentation, the newly approved framework establishes foundational principles, support mechanisms, and procedural guidelines for ensuring equitable and sustainable access to water resources. The legislation explicitly recognizes the interdependence between water access and other fundamental human rights protected under Mexican law.
The constitutional reform mandates that the state must promote, respect, protect, and guarantee the right to water for personal and domestic consumption, including access, disposal, and sanitation services. These protections align with both Mexico’s constitutional provisions and international treaties to which the nation is a signatory, creating a robust legal framework for water justice.
This legislative achievement marks a significant shift in Mexico’s approach to water governance, prioritizing human dignity over commercial interests in one of the Western Hemisphere’s most substantial water policy reforms in recent years.