Peru closes tourist attraction Machu Picchu due to political unrest

AFP

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:04

The Peruvian government has immediately closed the country’s main tourist attraction, Machu Picchu. The government is afraid that something will happen to tourists who want to visit the former Inca settlement. Peru has been hit by fierce anti-government protests that have left more than 50 dead since last month.

In addition to the ruin city in the mountains, the hiking trails leading to Machu Picchu are also closed. At least 400 people, including 300 foreigners, are now stranded in the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. Peru’s tourism minister says visitors cannot leave because the railway in the village has been damaged by protesters.

The stranded tourists are asked to register for evacuation. Some groups of travelers would not want to wait for evacuation and are already on foot to the nearest village connected to the road network, a walk of at least six hours.

In December, hundreds of tourists were also trapped at Machu Picchu because of the riots in southern Peru. Then demonstrators had blocked the railway in several places with stones.

New elections

The activists demand the departure of President Boluarte and the release of former President Castillo from prison. He was impeached in early December because he wanted to dissolve parliament in order to avoid impeachment. Shortly thereafter, Castillo was charged with rebellion.

This has angered his supporters, who want new elections as soon as possible. Boluarte has already pledged to advance the 2026 elections to 2024.

Emergency

A state of emergency is currently in effect in several regions of Peru, including the capital Lima. Riots also broke out there last night after demonstrations against the president. Security forces use tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

This is how it went last Thursday in Lima:

Unrest Peru, big fire in Lima

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