Latin America; in English (pdf) - Transboundary Freshwater Dispute ...

Lempa, Usumacinta, Motagua, and Sixaola
Rivers. The agreements from the Usumacinta,
Motagua, and Lempa Rivers have as a common
element that they just cover a section of the river
basin, whereas the agreement of the Sixaola River
possesses authority over the whole drainage of
the river.
The Trifinio Plan has been the primary
institutional framework for the Lempa River basin.
Currently the Tri-national Development Program
of the High Basin of the Lempa River is being
implemented, with the direction of the Tri-national
Commission Trifinio Plan, created by El Salvador,
Honduras, and Guatemala.
Mexico and Guatemala signed an agreement
for the creation of the Limits and Water
Commission between Mexico and Guatemala,
which was formally established in 1961. The
commission works on the border between both
countries near a section of the river basin of the
Usumacinta River. Its work deals with advancing
both States’ authorities about border issues,
development, research, and the implementation
of the tasks previously approved for the countries
(Hamman and Arkensen 1996). Furthermore,
these countries ratified an agreement 15 years
ago on the protection of environmental resources
in the border area, the main objective of which
was to strengthen cooperation and links between
Guatemala and Mexico for the protection of
natural resources and the reduction of pollution
(Hamman and Ankersen 1996).
In short, the constitution of a strong base
for the creation of institutions and organizations
for the preservation of environmental resources in
general and water in particular is as yet incipient
in Central America. The establishment of river
basin committees is not an intrinsic component of
all international river basin projects. Although
many consider environmental issues as of vital
importance, few propose the creation of institutions
for river basins. Moreover, the few river basin
organizations that have been established in the
region must fight to find space for the development
of regional territorial management amid
scenarios of unilateral state actions. This trend
tends to encourage a particular preoccupation
with the micro-river basin organization level.
2.6.2 River Basin Committees:
Big Goals, Small Organizations
As previously noted, some form of institutional
framework exists for some river basins. Most of
these organizations have their origins in local
and regional institutions aimed at creating
mechanisms for producing better living conditions
and conserving water and the environment. With
international support, some of these organizations
have grown from the micro-basin level.
The sub-basins that are part of international
river basins with institutional frameworks in
Central America and the West Indies are shown
in Table 2.9, followed by some examples drawn
from the region.
TABLE 2.8 INTERNATIONAL RIVER BASINS: COOPERATION AND PROTECTION
AGREEMENTS.
Environmental Protection and Improvement of frontier zones agreement between
Guatemala and Mexico (1988)
Signatories: Guatemala, Mexico
Trifinio Plan (1987)
Signatories: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador
International Commission on Limits and water between Mexico and Guatemala (1961)
Signatories: Guatemala, Mexico
Improvement and regulation agreement of Sixaola River, as part of the National
Park La Amistad (date not known)
Signatories: Costa Rica, Panama
Source: CEMEDE 2004
36 — Hydropolitical Vulnerability and Resilience along International Waters: Latin America and the Caribbean