Does the el nino make usually wet areas dry?

Since El Nino is a weather pattern known for high temperatures and dry days, yes. La Nina is the weather pattern know to counter El Nino, bringing low temperatures and more rain/snow. They swap about every five years or so. In fact, this year (2017) is predicted to be impacted by La Nina.

The peak above is part of the  sierra madre occidentals ,  a chain of volcanic mountains that runs through the middle of central america.