Bolivia declares state of emergency over El Niño weather pattern

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday to speed up the deployment of resources and reinforce rescue teams in areas hit by floods and drought. A government report this week said drought is affecting 78,000 families in six of the country’s nine departments and has caused the loss of more than 75,000 cattle. Paz warned that El Niño could bring very severe droughts and floods; the phenomenon is expected to peak at the end of 2026, with effects potentially continuing into 2027.