How to use Python to connect to DigitalOcean's mysql database

Hi everyone, hope someone could help. I am looking to use python to remotely connect to the DO’s MySQL database using the guide here:

https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-store-and-retrieve-data-in-mariadb-using-python-on-ubuntu-18-04

Python code used:

import os

import mysql.connector as database

username = os.environ.get("username")

password = os.environ.get("password")

host_db = os.environ.get("host_db")


db = os.environ.get("db")

connection = database.connect(
    user=username,
    password=password,
    host=host_db,
    database=db)

however, I keep getting the error:

2003 (HY000): Can’t connect to MySQL server on ‘db-mysql-nyc1-16578-do-user-13436704-0.b.db.ondigitalocean.com:3306’ (10060)

One thing I am guessing (need help to verify) is that I enforced SSl (a ca certificate). Do I need to include the ca cert information in the connection?

Hope someone could help!

Cheers, Derek