The national government called an emergency press conference yesterday afternoon to guarantee that there will be no blackouts in Ecuador. He did this a few hours after announcing specific blackouts due to the reduction of power transmission from Colombia due to the maintenance of its electrical infrastructure.

The first news, apart from the fact that it was clarified that the cuts will be two days, at 16:00 and 17:30 and in certain but undisclosed places, plus the voice of the former Minister of Electricity Esteban Albornoz Warning that the beginning of rationalization in the country caused an alarm.

According to the government, Colombia has suspended scheduled maintenance and will continue to supply Ecuador with energy. However, the concern remains because there was talk of a very serious dry season that began in September, and citizens were asked to conserve electricity.

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Such facts deserve clear, responsible and quick action by the authorities. Technical data is valued, the population demands that the truth be told in order to have the opportunity to prepare for all foreseeable contingencies.

It was clearly pointed out that saving energy is necessary. On the other hand, civil, the search for technical solutions that avoid rationing is sought and demanded.

The drought is real, but it is also true that last century Ecuador invested in hydroelectric plants which, according to the politicians who promoted their construction, guaranteed that the specter of power outages would be removed from the national territory, but today it even depends on energy from neighboring Colombia.

Explanations will always be needed. Constituents are careful about them because they need to take the authorities at their word more than ever and must not suffer power outages that will affect their economies and thus the country’s economy. (OR)