QUITO (Reuters) – The president of Ecuador Daniel Noboa declared a second state of emergency on Friday due to an energy crisis that has already led to rationing in the South American country.
Noboa, who came to power in November, had declared an energy emergency and imposed power cuts earlier this week, but cuts will be suspended on Sunday for a referendum he appears likely to win due to a series of security measures.
His first emergency declaration, in January, aimed to curb rising crime by allowing greater coordination between the military and police.
During Saturday’s 60-day state of emergency, Noboa deployed the army and police to guard energy infrastructure, according to a decree published on his office’s website.
The latest state of emergency is intended to “guarantee the continuity of the public electricity supply,” according to the decree.
A drought caused in part by the climate phenomenon known as El Nino has reached the level of hydroelectric dams, which produce most of Ecuador’s energy.
(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Editing by William Mallard)
