If Peru is in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to civil unrest in that country, as thousands of tourists and travelers are stranded across the country due to a network of road blocks, cancellations of flights, demonstrations, and protests by supporters of the president of that country as a result of his arrest and impeachment earlier this month.
Travel Alert December 2022: Civil Unrest in Peru
Accused of criminal charges of rebellion and conspiracy, Pedro Castillo was removed from office as president of Peru last week after he allegedly attempted to dissolve the Congress of the Republic of Peru and install an emergency government — which lawmakers perceived as an attempted coup — and he is expected to remain in detention for approximately 18 months prior to his trial.
As many as 18 people have reportedly died in the civil unrest in Peru.
A Level 3 travel advisory for Peru was issued on Thursday, December 15, 2022 by the Bureau of Consular affairs, which is a division of the Department of State of the United States — specifically:
Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. Public demonstrations can take place for a variety of political and economic issues. 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.
Apparently that is true, according to what has been posted on various channels of social media.
Machu Picchu, Peru. Train station gates welded shut. Hundreds of people walked 35km hike down tracks to km 82. Our driver was attacked for helping us. Now safe in Cusco. pic.twitter.com/3WMK9BPqSs
— Tony Hepburn (@TonyHepburn) December 17, 2022
Some tourists have tried to leave Peru since the protests began, but violent confrontations have crippled travel routes and airports. https://t.co/S3bB8Ovk5V
— CBC News (@CBCNews) December 18, 2022
This statement is from the official Internet web site of the United States Embassy in Peru:
Following an expected December 15, 2022 court decision about the detention of former President Castillo, additional demonstrations may occur throughout the country, including in Lima. Separate demonstrations by anti-government groups are also planned for December 15 in downtown Lima. Even peaceful demonstrations may quickly escalate and turn violent.
Flights to and from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, Alfredo Rodriguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) in Arequipa, Juliaca Inca Manco Cápac Airport (JUL) near Puno, and Andahuaylas Airport (ANS) are temporarily suspended. Travelers whose flights were affected by ongoing events should work with the airlines to reschedule flights if necessary. Train service to and from Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Village remains suspended. Travelers in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and in Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Village are advised to shelter in place until safe transportation options become available.
Affected travelers are advised to shelter in place until safe transportation becomes available. Roadblocks continue to impede traffic on major roads across Peru. Do not attempt to interfere with or remove roadblocks.
A State of Emergency has been declared by the Government of Peru, which allows the Peruvian military to aid the Peruvian National Police and may restrict the movement of people in those areas. Please follow instructions given by local authorities, including any curfews that may be put into effect with little notice. Affected U.S. citizens are strongly advised to enroll in STEP (https://step.state.gov/ ) for alerts from the U.S. Embassy if they have not already done so.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within Peru over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the civil unrest which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating conditions and traffic problems.
Here are three airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this civil unrest:
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for Lima for Monday, December 12, 2022 through Thursday, December 22, 2022; and Sunday, December 25, 2022 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Lima for Wednesday, December 14, 2022 through Thursday, December 22, 2022; and Friday, December 30, 2022 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for Lima for Wednesday, December 14, 2022 through Tuesday, December 20, 2022; and Thursday, December 22, 2022 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
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