There is a state of political unrest in Peru caused by the arrest of former President Pedro Castillo. Due to the ousting of the president of Peru, the country declared a state of emergency. The state of emergency declared left hundreds of tourists stranded in the city of Machu Picchu. Currently, there are international warnings about traveling to the country.
According to the mayor of Machu Picchu, the stranded travelers consisted of Europeans, Peruvians, and South Americans. The mayor explained that they are establishing some helicopter flights to safely evacuate the tourists. There is a suspension of other transport services, such as trains which is a popular means of transportation in the country.
How the Travelers were Evacuated
The to and fro transportation from the UNESCO World Heritage Site has been suspended due to the protests. On Saturday, the airport between the Cuzco and the tourist attraction began its operation for evacuees. Most of the travelers stuck in Machu Picchu hiked for almost 20 miles to Ollantaytambo town to get a flight to their final destination or Lima.
Shortage of Food in Machu Picchu
The local economy of the city relies mainly on tourism, and the protests have led to serious food shortages in Machu Picchu. Mayor Baca reached out to the government to have a discussion with the local population to end the social unrest soon. The PeruRail declared that there will be changes in the dates of travel for their affected passengers.
On Friday, the Ministry of Transport in Peru announced the resumption of flights from the international airport in Cusco (Alejandro Velasco Asete). Any passengers moving during the curfew hours can make use of their respective travel tickets as a safety measure. The government in the country has suspended the rights of personal freedom for 30 days.
The Defense Minister said, ” the acts of vandalism and highway blockages in the streets of Peru require an authoritative and forceful response from the government”. The country has been in a state of political unrest and crisis for almost a week. Since the protest started, there have been at least 200 injured police officers and also seven dead individuals across the country.
Warnings from Various Countries
The US State Department listed Peru as a level three destination and urged the citizens to “reconsider” due to the protest. Demonstrations or protests often lead to the shutdown of major highways, local roads, and trains without any prior notice. The department warned that road closures often reduce the access of individuals to public airports and transportation.
Also, the State Department asked any traveler in Peru to sign up at the US Embassy for STEP ALERTS. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the United Kingdom also issued some warnings to its citizens. FCDO told the British nationals to plan for any disruptions and avoid the protest areas to remain safe.
The FCDO also informed the travelers in Lima that there are no traveling movements in the regional areas. There are more disruptions in some regional areas, such as Arequipa and Cusco hence the need to be careful. Also, FCDO warned the British nationals to adhere to the Peruvian curfews and monitor the local news for more information.
