Is the government breaking its promise to end blackouts? Some businesses say it’s so

Although the government said electrical blackouts of large businesses would end November 1, at least three industry representatives claim they are being extended through November 4. José Antonio Camposano, president of the Chamber of Aquaculture, says his members were notified Friday of new blackouts by the National Electricity Corporation.

“We are asking for an explanation but, so far, have heard nothing,” Camposano said on his X account. “We were promised the disconnections would end November 1 and we have prepared for the resumption of full production and now we don’t know what to believe.”

Public Information Secretary Julio Neira

Neither the Energy Ministry or the president’s office have confirmed the continuation of blackouts and there was no response to media requests for comments from Public Information Secretary Julio Neira.

On October 23, Neira said all blackouts would end November 1 and urged businesses to plan for a return to full schedules. A day later, he issued a second statement saying that “rapidly improving” conditions of the national electrical supply made the end of disconnections for 9,000 businesses possible. “This is a promise from your government to end the disconnections,” Neira said. “We appreciate the sacrifice you have made.”

When contacted by the media, some industry managers said they have not received notice of blackouts beyond November 1. “The manager of a Guayaquil bottling company, who had not received notice, said he was “taking the government at its word” and was making plans to resume a normal production schedule.

Camposano reacted angrily to the prospect of extended blackouts. “How is it that now they are talking about a four-day suspension?” he asked. “This will paralyze our shrimp supply, processing and marketing chain. It makes our transport logistics and the rotation of personnel impossible.”

He said he is awaiting clarification from the Energy Ministry.