Colombia resumes electricity sales to Ecuador; First El Niño effects felt on the coast as water temperature rises; Tambo mayor arrested for embezzlement
Private Colombian utility companies resumed the sale of electricity to Ecuador August 5 following a six-month suspension as a result of the trade war between the two countries. The cross-border power transfer will be 358 megawatts, which Ecuador’s
Energy Ministry says will cover 7% to 8% of the country’s needs.
The transfer of electricity was suspended January 22 following the imposition of import tariffs by both countries. The tariffs were lifted last month when the Andean Community of Nations court ruled them illegal.
Colombia resumed electricity transfers to Ecuador Wednesday. The transfers had been suspended for more than six months because of political disagreements between the two countries.
In announcing the resumption of electricity sales, the Colombian Energy Ministry cautioned that the transfer is dependent on the supply of excess power generation. “By law, private generators are required to prioritize the needs of the Colombian power grid,” it said. “Potential drought conditions caused by the approaching El Niño weather system could require the companies to return power transfers to the national grid.”
During the 2024 drought, Colombian companies were forced to suspend sales, a factor in nation-wide blackouts in Ecuador. Most of the electricity in both countries is produced at hydroelectric facilities.
In addition to Ecuador, Colombian power companies sell electricity to Venezuela and Panama.
First El Niño effects felt on the coast
Although major impacts of El Niño are not expected for three or four months, the Environmental Ministry says the first effects of the system are already being felt in coastal communities. According to the ministry, rising ocean water temperatures are requiring fisherman to travel farther from the coast to meet catch quotas.
The Navy’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute reports that water temperatures have risen between 1.5 to 2.25 degrees Celsius along the Pacific coast. It says temperatures will continue to rise through the end of the year.
Fishermen in Puerto Lopez say they are forced to travel 20 to 30 kilometers further to catch fish since the fish are moving to deeper, cooler water. On social media, several fishermen said the additional travel requires more gasoline and puts fishing boats at higher risk of being intercepted by drug transport vessels from Colombia. In addition, fishermen report their daily catches are declining.
Tambo mayor arrested for embezzlement
El Tambo Mayor René Castillo was arrested Wednesday, charged with embezzling public funds. Cantonal Councilman Edison Espinoza was also arrested on the same charges.
El Tambo is located 70 kilometers north of Cuenca in Cañar Province.
According to Interior Minister John Reimberg, the arrests are the result of a citizen complaint that Castillo and Espinoza transferred public money to their personal bank accounts. The money was intended for the El Tambo cantonization celebration in 2024, the ministry says. According to investigators, the amount of the embezzlement was between $40,000 and $50,000.
El Tambo was the scene of an attack on President Daniel Noboa’s motorcade during a 2025 visit. Several vehicles in the motorcade were damaged by rocks thrown by a crowd of protesters.
