El Niño will mean big losses for agriculture; Former Mayor Zamora is hospitalized; U.S. applies new tariffs to exports; Colombia resumes electricity sales

As international weather forecasts increased the likelihood of a “major El Niño” from 90% to 97%, the National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) is warning commercial agricultural to prepare for financial losses. COE listed banana, rice and cocoa crops as the most vulnerable and said aquaculture operations, such as shrimp farming, could also suffer heavy loses as a result of El Niño flooding.

Earlier this month, the U.S. National Weather Service reported that water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific continue to rise at “an unprecedented rate,” creating conditions for a strong El Niño. Based on data from past El Niños, the service said “the developing El Niño has the potential of being the strongest since records were first kept.”

Former Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora

The COE said the government is considering increasing disaster support for agricultural losses but has not made a final decision. About $600 million has been allocated for infrastructure and community relief.

The COE said flooding rains could begin to affect the coastal region as early as late October and early November and will continue through February or March 2027.

Former Mayor Zamora hospitalized in Quito
Suspended Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora said Sunday he is suffering from an “serious intestinal condition” and is receiving treatment to reduce inflammation in his gastrointestinal tract. Last week, friends and family reported on social media that Zamora had been diagnosed with colon cancer and was hospitalized in Quito following a “medically related trip” to the United States.

In his message, Zamora reported that he is showing improvement and following a treatment plan of several therapies, including a diet of blended foods. He said he has suffered significant weight loss. He thanked his friends for the “many messages of support and good wishes.”

As a result of his health condition, Zamora said he is delaying a decision on a possible return to mayoral duties in Cuenca in January following his six-month court-ordered suspension. “This will depend on the progress of my rehabilitation,” he said.

U.S. applies new tariffs to Ecuadorian exports
Ecuador is among 60 countries whose exports will pay a new 10% tariff to enter the U.S. The tariff, based on a claim that the country imports “products made through forced labor” replaces another 10% tariff that expired minutes before the new one went into effect July 24.

The U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) explained in a statement that its investigations had determined that the 60 countries had purchased “goods and services from countries it had determined used forced or slave labor.”

A spokesman for the Ecuador’s Trade Ministry said the goods and services in question were produced in China, with which Ecuador has a free trade agreement. “The new tariff does not affect our exports since it replaces another tariff that had previously been in place,” he said. He added trade policies toward China, Ecuador’s largest trading partner, will not be affected.

According to the Trade Ministry spokesman, Ecuador will enjoy a competitive advantage over several Latin American countries that will pay a 12.5% tariff on U.S. exports. These countries include Peru, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Colombia resumes electricity sales
Colombia announced Friday it will allow its private utility companies to resume electricity sales to Ecuador. Sales were suspended by President Gustavo Petro in June following a decision by Ecuador President Daniel Noboa to impose tariffs on Colombian imports. Those tariffs were lifted in early July.

The announcement was made by Colombia Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma Egea, who reported that the arrangement allowing operations between “private agents from both countries has returned to full force.”

Current electrical infrastructure allows a maximum transfer of 400 megawatts of electricity between the two countries.