QUITO, Ecuador — In a significant announcement, President Daniel Noboa revealed that the government will lift the ongoing electricity rationing just in time for the holiday season. Normal electricity services are expected to resume on December 20, following three months of daily interruptions.

The administration attributed the necessity for power rationing to an unprecedented drought that has affected the country, which has been the worst in decades. Furthermore, Ecuador’s electricity supply was compromised when Colombia decided to halt energy exports to its southern neighbor.

As Noboa gears up for reelection next year, he outlined on social media that various improvements to existing electricity infrastructure and the heavy, widespread rainfall observed since the beginning of December played a pivotal role in his decision to restore power services.

In his statement, the President expressed his gratitude to the citizens of Ecuador, acknowledging their patience and endurance during a challenging period, where some residents faced power outages lasting as long as 14 hours daily.

The electricity cuts initiated in mid-September imposed significant financial strains on local businesses, with industry groups estimating cumulative losses approaching $7.5 billion due to the interruptions in service.