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Peru closes Machu Picchu as anti-government protests grow

Peru indefinitely shut the famed ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on Saturday in the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are increasingly engulfing the South American country. The Culture Ministry said it had closed the country’s most famous tourist attraction as well as the Inca Trail leading up to the site “to protect the safety of tourists and the population in general.” There were 417 visitors stuck at Machu Picchu and unable to get out, more than 300 of them foreigners, Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero said at a news conference. The closure of the Incan citadel that dates to the 15th century and is often referred to as one of the new seven wonders of the world comes as protesters have descended on Lima, many of them traveling to the capital from remote Andean regions, to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte. Also Saturday, police raided Peru’s most important public university in Lima to evict protesters who were being housed at the campus while participating in big demonstrations. More than 100 people were detained, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said. Until recently, the protests had been concentrated in the country’s south. They began last month after then-President Pedro Castillo, Peru’s first leader with a rural Andean background, was impeached and imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Boluarte, the former vice president sworn into office Dec. 7 to replace Castillo. They also want Congress dissolved and new elections held. Castillo is currently detained on charges of rebellion. More than 55 people have died in the ensuing unrest, most recently on Friday night when a protester was killed and at least nine others injured in clashes with police in Puno. A total of 21 protesters and one police officer have died in the southern region. On Saturday morning, police used a small tank to burst into the National University of San Marcos in the morning. Javier Cutipa, 39, who traveled by bus from Puno, had been sleeping on the floor there since Thursday but left for breakfast right before the police arrived. He described the police action as “practically an assault,” with helicopters, tear gas and small tanks. “This outrages us. The only thing the government is doing with these detentions is worsen tensions,” Cutipa said. He added that “when the population finds out about this they’re going to react in a more radical fashion.” Hundreds of protesters congregated outside the law enforcement offices where the detainees were being held Saturday evening chanting “Freedom” and “We’re students, not terrorists.” More congregated at other points of downtown Lima. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed “concern over the police incursion, eviction and massive detentions” at the university and urged the state to “guarantee the integrity and due process of all people.” The university issued a news release saying the police raid took place after protesters “assaulted” security personnel. Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located, has been the site of some of the most intense clashes, leading to significant loss of tourism revenue. The Cusco airport was briefly shut down this week after protesters tired to storm it. Train service to Machu Picchu has been closed since Thursday due to damage to the tracks. Some stranded tourists have chosen to leave by walking to Piscacucho, the nearest village, Helguero said, “but that involves a walk of six, seven hours or more and only a few people are able to do it.” Tourists who had already bought tickets for Machu Picchu from Saturday until one month after whenever the protests end will be able to obtain a full refund, the Culture Ministry said. Source: Hurriyet Daily News

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.

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Peru closes Machu Picchu as anti-government protests grow

5,000 tourists stranded in Peru due to protests