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

In the aftermath of tropical storm Jeanne, a trainer in Haiti demonstrates how to properly filter water using PuR. Photo credit: PSI/USAID.
resources. This represents a reality that must be
recognized as an element to reinforce in Central
America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in
the management of these river basins.
It is recognized that water problems do not
necessarily have to lead to conflict but instead
can be solved cooperatively. As the Lempa River
basin demonstrates, the development of institutional
frameworks is a key aspect in establishing
peace and environmental cooperation.
In addition, the Central American experience
seems to confirm that in order to foster cooperation
in the region it is necessary to focus more on
qualitative issues. The quantity of water has
brought many riparian states into disputes. The
quantitative issue amounts to a zero-sum game;
what country X gets is denied to country Y. Better
water quality is something all may gain from,
and qualitative control is comparatively easy to
achieve. Such focus creates an important space
for negotiation in Central America, due to the
fact that problems in the region’s international
river basins are basically related to quality and
not as much to quantity, with the exception of the
Lempa River and the dependency of El Salvador on
this basin. Regional integration mechanisms seem
to be a very promising opportunity in this regard.
We have learned that to foster cooperation
is possible even while points of disagreement
remain. The strongest conflicts of interests are
taking place in the San Juan and Lempa rivers,
however and the case of the Lempa River shows
there is an enormous opportunity for cooperation.
Win-win projects such as the ones being developed
in the Lempa River Basin can help to build
confidence and a mutual language that in turn
may help generate solutions to long-term points
of contention.
It is important to point out that the political
interests of the basin countries are important in
deciding whether countries head towards cooperation.
However, even more crucial is the fact
that Central American governments are beginning
to look at international river basins as elements
for promoting regional integration in border
areas rather than perceiving these areas merely
as natural borders and security zones. This new
interest is evident in the Lempa River basin.
Finally, it is clear that scarcity and/or
pollution of transboundary freshwater resources
impedes development, undercuts human health,
and can potentially create some level of social
unrest. The development of good institutional
frameworks in transboundary river basins is
urgently needed. These institutions can play a
critical role in fostering cooperation among
states and communities, thereby promoting
development, peace, and regional integration.
Chapter 2. Hydropolitical Vulnerability in Central America and the West Indies — 43