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Cuzco airport closed due to Majes-Siguas II protests

The airport in Cuzco has been closed as a result of protests against the development of the Majes-Siguas II irrigation project, daily El Comercio reported.

Flights were suspended, leaving about 500 tourists stranded at the Velasco Astete airport. Flights from Arequipa to Cuzco were diverted to Peru’s capital Lima, the report said.

The decision to suspend flights was made when about 1,000 protesters broke through the airport’s walled perimeter. The police, which numbered approximately 40, were unable to prevent the demonstrators.

At least one police officer was injured during a clash with protesting university students, Radioprogramas reported.

Despite the protests, Peru’s Interior Minister Fernando Barrios has said the situation is under control and that police will ensure public security and order.

Protests in Cuzco city started earlier this week in support of demonstrations held in the region’s Espinar province over the Majes-Siguas II project. Many services in the city were shut down, including the train to Machu Picchu.

Residents in Espinar are concerned the multi-million dollar irrigation project could affect the availability of water from the Apurimac River.

The project’s concession holder will design and build the Angostura dam, water transfer tunnels and a distribution network that will irrigate 38,500 hecatares in Siguas and 8,000 hectares in Majes.

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