The purpose of this research is to study the influence of total suction on the mechanical behavior of an unsaturated argillaceous rock and in its process of failure. The experiment was performed by setting cylindrical specimens of 20 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to bedding in five hermetic containers where these were subjected to controlled relative humidity through saturated saline solutions. The effect of water content and suction on the mechanical behavior was analyzed by carrying out uniaxial compression tests on specimens with different degrees of saturation. During the performance of the unconfined compression tests, acoustic emission measurements were registered in order to facilitate the identification of crack initiation and propagation. Results indicate that the mechanical behavior of the rock is sensitive to water content.