Senator blasts Mexico president, says toxic sewage threatens ‘national security’
In a recent development, United States Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana, has taken a strong stance against Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for the large amount of raw sewage and waste that Mexico has been dumping into the Tijuana River. In a scathing letter addressed to President Sheinbaum, Sheehy expressed his concern not only for the health and safety of local residents, but also highlighted the potential threat to U.S. national security posed by the toxic leak.
The letter outlined Sheehy’s concerns about the impact of the continuous discharge of sewage on thousands of Americans annually, including U.S. Navy SEALs and Marine special forces who train in the affected waters. The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General had previously warned that Navy Special Warfare Command may have to cancel or relocate up to 75 percent of water training exercises at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado due to elevated bacterial contamination levels.
Last week, the International Boundary and Water Commission confirmed that Mexico is dumping a staggering 5 million gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River every day. This toxic waste then flows into the United States, posing a serious threat to both human health and the environment. Sheehy condemned Mexico’s actions, stating that their failure to address the issue is causing harm to troops and undermining national security.
Local leaders have also spoken out about the harmful environmental conditions caused by Mexico’s intentional waste dumping. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond highlighted the dangers posed by the contaminated sewage, which contains E. coli, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, arsenic, and other toxic chemicals. Residents have reported various health issues, including skin infections and viral pharyngitis, with even family pets falling ill after exposure.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has taken note of the situation and plans to visit a local treatment facility in San Diego to assess the harmful flow of poisonous waste entering the U.S. from Mexico. Zeldin considers this issue a top priority and is committed to addressing the human health crisis that has persisted for decades.
The urgency of the situation has prompted action from various officials, with Sheehy leading the charge in Congress to hold Mexico accountable for its actions. The need to address the toxic waste entering U.S. waters from Mexico is not only a matter of environmental concern but also a critical issue of national security. It is imperative that Mexico takes immediate steps to stop the flow of sewage and prevent further harm to American citizens and military personnel.
