Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that nine islands in the Rio Grande between Laredo and McAllen belong to Texas. Mexico's Foreign Ministry responded that state governments cannot modify international borders, which are governed by the 1970 Boundary Treaty.
Texas General Land OfficeU.S. state agency that declared the islands Texas property
Mexico's Foreign Ministry (Secretariat of Foreign Affairs)Responded to the Texas claim
The facts
Texas Land Commissioner announced nine islands in Rio Grande belong to Texas.1
Buckingham said islands are located between Laredo and McAllen along Texas territory.1
Buckingham stated the islands will allow U.S. military access to maintain border security.1
Texas General Land Office said it confirmed island ownership at request of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.1
The 1970 Boundary Treaty establishes international boundary runs through center of Rio Grande channel.12Stated by 2 sources
Mexico's Foreign Ministry said International Boundary and Water Commission is empowered to determine island sovereignty.12Stated by 2 sources
Buckingham acknowledged no criminal activity confirmed on nine islands.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Buckingham Previous border island experience shows cartels and smugglers can exploit them.1
Mexico's Foreign Ministry State governments lack authority to modify international borders or determine island sovereignty.12
Where the sources disagree
Authority to determine island sovereignty Texas General Land Office claims it confirmed islands belong to Texas [1]; Mexico's Foreign Ministry states only International Boundary and Water Commission has that power [1, 2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Mexico's Foreign Secretariat Responds to Texas: The Border on the Río Bravo Cannot Be Modified by a State Government
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
The Texas General Land Office declared that nine river islands in the Rio Grande belong to Texas and authorized state military and police to access, clear, and patrol them. Mexico responded by demanding that the 1970 Boundary Treaty be respected and that only the International Boundary and Water Commission can determine island ownership.
Texas General Land Office, Declared ownership of nine islands; Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner; Mexico's Foreign Ministry, Responded demanding treaty be respected and 3 more
More than 7.7 million Texans voted early in the 2026 midterm election as of Sunday morning, according to preliminary data from the secretary of state's office. This represents 40.5% turnout, surpassing the modern record for a midterm election set in 2018.
James Talarico, State Rep., Austin Democrat, candidate for U.S. Senate; Gina Hinojosa, State Rep., Austin Democrat, candidate for Governor; Ken Paxton, Attorney General, McKinney Republican, candidate for U.S. Senate and 3 more
A Media Research Center study found that late-night television shows aired jokes about U.S. Senate candidates from Sept. 8 through Oct. 31, 2026, with 87 percent targeting Republicans and 13 percent targeting Democrats. Fourteen jokes targeted Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running against Democratic state Representative James Talarico for U.S. Senate.
Media Research Center, organization that conducted the study; Ken Paxton, Texas Republican Attorney General running for U.S. Senate; James Talarico, Democratic state Representative running for U.S. Senate and 2 more
Texas Tech football defeated Arizona 34-26 at Galaxy Stadium. The Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1) bounced back from their first loss with quarterback Thomas Castellanos leading the offense, while Arizona entered the game on a five-game winning streak.
Thomas Castellanos, Texas Tech quarterback; J'Koby Williams, Texas Tech running back; Noah Fifita, Arizona quarterback and 3 more
Texas A&M women's soccer plays Ole Miss in its 2026 season finale on Sunday at Ellis Field in College Station. The match airs on SEC Network with kickoff at noon. Texas A&M will honor seven seniors before the game.
Texas A&M soccer team, home team; Ole Miss Rebels, visiting team; Bobby Shuttleworth, Texas A&M head coach and 8 more
A proposed international trade bridge called Puerto Verde has become a contested issue in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, ahead of midterm elections. The project has emerged as a campaign issue in the race for Maverick County judge, with supporters citing economic opportunity and opponents raising concerns about location, environmental effects, and taxpayer costs.
Ruben Garibay, Chairman of the Puerto Verde Binational Industrial Complex and Transportation; Sandy Sassano, Maverick County Republican Party Chair; Gerardo "Jerry" Morales, Democratic candidate for Maverick County judge
A storm system moving across the central United States is forecast to bring thunderstorms and strong winds to Texas on Election Day, November 5. The system will originate from the Four Corners region and move eastward, bringing scattered to severe thunderstorms to Central Texas early Tuesday morning, with low tornado risk but possible wind gusts up to 60 mph.