The reduction of up to 145 millimeters of rainfall, less than the annual average, which is equivalent to 7.6 percent, not only damaged agriculture and basic grains, but also sectors such as livestock, where the increase in the cost of inputs and the El Niño phenomenon led the union to classify 2023 as a difficult year for the national livestock sector.

When evaluating the water situation, the Minister of MARN, Fernando López, said that in 2023 there was 1,753 millimeters of accumulated rainfall, a record below the average of 1,898 millimeters, which is the annual average.

Since the beginning of 2023, the Environment Ministry warned about the phenomenon transition from La Niña to El Niño, and with it, the decrease in rainfall over the national territory.

The Climatological Report No. 7 on the influence of the El Niño phenomenon, prepared by MARN, showed that during the first five months of the year, the water accumulation registered 197.1 millimeters of rain, when its average for that period is around 309.5 millimeters.

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