Mexico declares drought in northern state of Nuevo Leon matter of 'national security'

FILE PHOTO: Buckets are refilled with water by residents as a water truck distributes it outside houses at La Hacienda neighborhood in Guadalupe, in Nuevo Leon state, Mexico June 11, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Mendoza

MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexico declared the water shortage in the northern state of Nuevo Leon a matter of "national security" on Friday as the region, home to Mexico's industrial capital, has been crippled by a worsening drought in recent months.

In a declaration issued Friday afternoon, the federal government said available water should be prioritized for public use, and said existing federal water concessions to private companies could be modified or reduced.