Peru Tourism Officials Release Statement on State of Emergency

According to a Garda World report, the government in Peru declared a 30-day state of emergency on Thursday in parts Puno and Cusco “due to violence amid [an] ongoing teacher strike.”

And on Friday, Mincetur, Peru’s ministry of foreign trade and tourism, released a statement to travel media regarding the country’s decision to declare a State of Emergency.

"According to the Tourism Police and Road Traffic Police, activities in the main tourist attractions of the regions of Cusco and Puno are developing normally," according to Mincetur. "Mincetur through PromPeru is offering support and relevant information to national and foreign tourists through iPeru decentralized offices located in different regions of the country."

According to the Garda World report, "under a state of emergency, multiple constitutional rights are temporarily suspended, including freedom of assembly and movement."

"The declaration has been stated as a preventive measure to ensure public order and prevent acts of violence that may affect the physical integrity of individuals - domestic and foreign - and public and private property," according to Mincetur.

Major tour operator Condor Travel, which sells Peru, also released a statement Friday in response to the state of emergency.

“Following the recent protests in Cusco, organized by a small group of the teacher´s labor union, the Peruvian Government has declared a state of emergency on some sectors where the Cusco and Juliaca airports are located,” according to Condor Travel. “In Peru, a state of emergency is meant to provide more liberty and resources to the police and authorities, with the goal of keeping these types of situations under complete control.

"In the meantime, some of our touristic operations have been resumed with all the proper precautions, considering the risks that may affect the passengers’ wellbeing," the statement continues. "We will keep you informed as the situation develops."

Several media outlets reported last week that protesters in Peru blocked the train line to the famed Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, stranding thousands of tourists.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the customer service desk for the British-owned PeruRail company said service was being suspended Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13 because of the protest by local residents demanding that the government reverse its cancellation of a planned new airport. According to the report, that protest merged with a strike by some 20,000 teachers demanding pay raises.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Peru, in early July, the U.S. Embassy in Lima had received reports from the Peruvian National Police that demonstrations occurring in and around Cusco could last up to several weeks.  

Visit www.peru.travel and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260

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