Ted Cruz Questions Marco Rubio on South Africa's National Security Threats and Water Treaty

1944 Water Treaty Victory

• 💧 Senator Cruz thanked Secretary Rubio for efforts to pressure Mexico into complying with the 1944 water treaty, which had been violated for four years.
• 📈 Mexico has now committed to providing 400,000 acre feet of water, a significant improvement from previous years where South Texas faced a severe drought due to treaty violations.
• 🇺🇸 Cruz contrasted the Trump administration's actions with the Biden administration's perceived inaction on the water treaty issue.
• 🎯 Rubio emphasized the need to make this commitment permanent and establish it as the new standard operating procedure, not just a one-off solution.

South Africa's National Security Concerns

• 🇿🇦 Senator Cruz raised concerns about South African President Ramaphosa's visit, highlighting criticisms of South Africa's policies on human rights and actions undermining American national security.
• 🇨🇳 Allegations include a pivot away from the U.S. towards the Chinese Communist Party and potential compromise of South African decision-making due to widespread corruption tied to Iran.
• 🇮🇱 Cruz specifically mentioned President Ramaphosa's role in leading a charge of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which could expose American officials to vulnerabilities.
• 🇺🇸 Rubio stated that the U.S. did not participate in the G20 hosted by South Africa due to these issues and that any reset in relations would require addressing these concerns.

South Africa's Global Stance

• 🌍 Rubio noted that South Africa has consistently voted against American interests in multiple international organizations.
• 🗣️ He expressed concern that South Africa's alignment with countries like Iran and China, and their positions in international forums, echo the rhetoric of America's adversaries.
• ⚖️ There is concern that South Africa's actions could lead to international institutions attempting to indict American officials, even for positions taken on public policy.
• 👀 The U.S. will explore a reset in relations with South Africa but will do so with "eyes wide open" to their past actions.