About 300 tourists from across the globe have found themselves stranded in Machu Picchu, following Peru’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the ousting of its president.
Peru’s former president Pedro Castillo was impeached and arrested earlier this month after he said he would dissolve Congress. Since the arrest there has been unrest in Peru which has prompted warnings to tourist planning to travel there, CNN reported.
Darwin Baca, Machu Picchu’s mayor, said those tourists that are stranded are Peruvians, South Americans, Americans, and Europeans.
“We have asked the government to help us and establish helicopter flights in order to evacuate the tourists,” Baca said Friday. The only way to get in and out of the town is by train, and these services are suspended until further notice, he said.
However, a statement came late Friday by the Municipal District of Machu Picchu saying that the stranded tourists were expected to be evacuated Saturday.
“The municipality, through the Tourism Unit, carries out the necessary coordination for the selection and prioritization of children and vulnerable people for the transfer on humanitarian flights, work that has been carried out in coordination with the National Police and the district Health Center,” the statement read.
The railway systems coming in and out of Machu were suspended on Tuesday. The mayor also said the protests have caused a food shortage. There are also concerns for tourists who are running low on medications.
The US State Department has issued a travel advisory for citizens traveling in Peru, listing it as a level three “reconsider travel” destination.
“Demonstrations can cause the shutdown of local roads, trains, and major highways, often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities,” it warns.
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