#Peruvian

5,000 tourists stranded in Peru due to protests

Due to the anti-government protests that have been going on for days in Peru, 5,000 tourists were stranded in the country. Two ministers resigned from their posts, citing the loss of life in the protests. Protests continue in Peru, which began after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted by Congress on 7 December. It was announced that 5,000 tourists were stranded in the country, as Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in the city of Cusco has been closed since Monday, when protesters tried to storm the terminal. It was stated that some of the tourists who visited the ancient city of Machu Picchu could not go to the airport due to the barricades set up on the roads and the state of emergency. Rail service to Machu Picchu has also been halted since Tuesday, with nearly 800 tourists stranded in the mountainside town where the Inca fortress is located. About 200 tourists, mostly Americans and Europeans, left town by walking the train tracks to reach the town of Ollantaytambo, 30 kilometers away, where they could catch a train to Cusco. 18 people died in protests, two ministers resigned Despite the declaration of a state of emergency last Wednesday, 18 people have lost their lives in the ongoing protests. Education Minister Patricia Correa and Culture Minister Jair Perez announced that they resigned from their posts due to the loss of life. Education Minister Correa said in a statement on his Twitter account, "I submitted my resignation letter this morning. There can be no justification for the death of the people." Culture Minister Perez, in his post, said, "Today I irrevocably submitted my resignation. Peru needs peace and effective dialogue, violence must be stopped no matter where it comes from. I call on all parties to think and act to bring peace to the Peruvian people." The process that clutters the streets Former Peruvian President Castillo was sacked by Congress on December 7, after he decided to dissolve Congress and form a national emergency government. Castillo was detained while trying to take refuge in the Mexican Embassy, while his deputy, Dina Boluarte, was sworn in as the country's new president on 8 December. A state of emergency was declared on 14 December due to the protests that broke out after Castillo was sent to prison. Castillo, who was first detained for 7 days, was given a preventive prison sentence of 18 months on 16 December, considering the risk of escape. Dina Boluarte, who succeeded Castillo, called for dialogue to the demonstrators who were protesting him for his resignation. Protesters want early elections and Castillo's release.