Status: 01/22/2023 07:11 a.m
Clashes have broken out again during protests against the government in Peru. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture closed access to the famous Inca ruined city of Machu Picchu. More than 400 tourists were brought to Cusco.
Amid renewed clashes between demonstrators and police at anti-government protests across the country, the Ministry of Culture has barred access to the famous Inca ruined city of Machu Picchu. A statement from the ministry said the step was necessary “in view of the current social situation in our region”.
Tourists brought to Cusco
Because of the closure, more than 400 stranded tourists were brought to nearby Cusco, the Peruvian news agency Agencia Andina reported. The Ministry of Tourism said on Twitter that rescue workers had “transported 418 local and foreign tourists to Cusco by train from the village of Machu Picchu. The Ministry attached photos of a train and passengers to its statement.
During the protests, access to Machu Picchu was repeatedly restricted. Hundreds of foreign tourists were already stranded around Machu Picchu in mid-December. The Federal Foreign Office is currently warning against traveling to Peru.
More than 200 people arrested in Lima
Meanwhile, protests broke out again in several cities across the country. According to media reports, the police cleared a university in Lima and arrested more than 200 people. This was reported by the Peruvian broadcaster “RPP Noticias”, citing the chief prosecutor Alfonso Barrenechea.
People are said to have traveled to Lima to protest
Those arrested were accused of illegally invading the campus of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, one of the most important and oldest universities in America. According to “RPP Noticias”, they came to the capital from the cities of Puno and Cusco in the south of the Andean state to take part in the protests against the government of interim President Dina Boluarte.
UN calls on police to be proportional
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Peru called on the police after the operation to be proportionate. Several dozen people have died in the South American country since the protests began in December. Just yesterday there had been renewed reports of deaths in the country.
Boluarte’s resignation demanded
The demonstrators, many from the poor south of the country, are demanding the resignation of interim President Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress and the release of imprisoned ex-President Pedro Castillo. The former village school teacher wanted to forestall a vote of no confidence in December and dissolved the congress. Parliament then removed him from office. He was arrested on charges of an attempted coup and is in custody.
Peru – Tourists are stuck at Machu Picchu
Paula Kersten, ARD Rio de Janeiro, January 22, 2023 at 7:30 a.m