Peru gives army green light to intervene in Puno protests

Just weeks after a deadly intervention in Bagua, the Peruvian government authorized the army to send troops to Puno, where residents have launched a 72-hour strike to protest the recently enacted Water Law, reported daily El Comercio. The authorization, valid for 10 days as of June 24, aims to provide back-up for police, “and guarantee the [...]

Stretch of Inca Trail shut down due to forest fire near Inca citadel of Machu Picchu

Route 5 of Peru’s Inca Trail was temporarily shut down Wednesday, after a forest fire was detected in a protected area surrounding Machu Picchu – Peru’s top tourist attraction. The blaze, which was put out by more than 300 firefighters, affected 90 hectares of land and burned down a rest area, six handrails and fire [...]

PeruRail temporarily suspends service due to farmers’ strike

Hundreds of farmers launched a 24-hour strike Monday, blocking roads with stones and debris and obligating PeruRail to temporarily suspend service, reported state news agency Andina. We will chain ourselves to the railway and block highways for the next 24 hours, said Eloy Apaza, the President of Cuzco’s Irrigation Association. The farmers are demanding that [...]