Peru indefinitely shut the tourist site Machu Picchu on Saturday in the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are increasingly engulfing the South American country.
The Culture Ministry said it had closed the country's most famous tourist attraction as well as the Inca Trail leading up to the site “to protect the safety of tourists and the population in general.”
The closure of the Incan citadel that dates back to the 15th century and is often referred to as one of the new seven wonders of the world comes as protesters have descended on the capital of Lima, largely from remote Andean regions, to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte. Protests, which until recently had been concentrated in the country's south, began last month shortly after President Pedro Castillo, Peru's first leader with a rural Andean background, was impeached and imprisoned after he tried to dissolve Congress. More than 55 people have died in the ensuing unrest.
Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Boluarte, the former vice president sworn into office Dec. 7 to replace Castillo. They also want Congress dissolved and new elections held. Castillo is currently detained on charges of rebellion.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Peru's Machu Picchu, Inca trail ordered closed as protests flairPeruvian authorities ordered the closure of the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu and the Inca trail which leads to the world-renowned archeological site as of Saturday amid anti-government demonstrations that have spread nationwide and left a mounting death toll.
Read more »
Peru’s Machu Picchu, Inca trail ordered closed as anti-government protests continueWeeks-long clashes have spread nationwide in Peru and left a mounting death toll
Read more »
Peru police use tear gas to block protesters from marchingPeru police use tear gas to deter thousands of protesters
Read more »
Peru police use tear gas to block protesters from marchingPolice fired tear gas to try to subdue thousands of protesters who poured into the Peruvian capital Thursday, many from remote Andean regions, calling for the ouster of President Dina Boluarte and the return to power of her predecessor, whose removal last month launched deadly unrest and cast the nation into political chaos.
Read more »
Peru police use tear gas to block protesters from marchingPolice fired tear gas to try to subdue thousands of protesters who poured into the Peruvian capital Thursday, many from remote Andean regions, calling for the ouster of President Dina Boluarte and the return to power of her predecessor, whose removal last month launched deadly unrest and cast the nation into political chaos.
Read more »