El Niño drought devastates crops, livestock and food security in Central America's Dry Corridor

The 2026 El Niño, the strongest in four decades, is driving an unprecedented drought across the Central American Dry Corridor, affecting Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, where over 10 million people live. Crops that should be thriving, such as corn in San Lorenzo, remain unplanted, while livestock die in large numbers and farmers are forced to sell the few remaining animals. Water supplies have dried up, with tanks in El Matazano reaching 42 °C and no longer supporting fish ponds that once provided food and income.

Residents describe eating only a single tortilla before going without, and corn prices have risen about 50 % above normal. Indigenous leader Elvira Pasa warns that child malnutrition is worsening, and NGOs are stepping in as governments face criticism for inadequate response. Experts say the drought could extend into 2027, threatening food security across the region.