Latin America feels the heat

Extreme weather conditions are compounding upstream challenges and pressuring governments across the region

Many Latin American countries are suffering their worst droughts in decades, affecting some of the region’s largest oil and gas producers. Several have not seen any rainfall in months, while further east major tributaries of the Amazon River have dropped to record low levels. Ecuador is among the worst hit. Already suffering a security crisis, the country is experiencing its worst drought in 61 years. Widespread blackouts have hit the power sector, while the government has been forced to ration electricity due to Ecuador’s dependence on hydroelectric power. Already, the crisis has had political implications. Ecuador’s minister of energy, Antonio Goncalves, resigned in early October and was r