Civil Unrest Forces Closure of Machu Picchu

By Mahi (Year 10)

Peru has recently closed its world-famous tourist site, Machu Picchu, due to ongoing protests against the country’s new President Dina Boluarte. This has left many tourists and Peruvians stranded on the foot of the historical location.

At least 58 Peruvians have been injured in the protests.

TheEuropeanUnionhas condemnedthewidespreadviolence andthe"disproportionate"useof forcebythepolice.

The site was closed by the Peruvian government in an attempt to keep tourists and citizens safe from a violent political protest, which left 14 dead. Rail services to Machu Picchu have been suspended since Thursday 19th January, after some tracks were damaged.

This left 418 people stranded on the site for several hours, however by the night of 21st January, the tourism ministry announced that everyone had been safely evacuated.

These protests began when Peru’s previous leader was ousted- and these aren’t the first visitors stranded due to civil unrest. Last month, hundreds of tourists were air lifted out after being stuck there for many days.

Demonstrators want Dina Boluarte, Peru’s first female president, to stand down and to release her left-wing predecessor, Pedro Castillo, from custody. He was removed from office and arrested on Wednesday 18 th of January for unconstitutionally trying to dissolve Congress , although he denies accusations and insists that he is Peru’s legitimate leader.

The protests have become increasingly aggressive, starting with a rock protest in the capital city of Lima, followed by burning police stations resulting in the death of a d ozen protestors.

Along with the demonstrators, the governors of the southern Puno, Cusco and Apurimac regions has called for the president’s resignation. However, Ms Boluarte has resisted calls to step down.

Source:BBC