Peruvian government reopens trains from Machu Picchu

(CNN) – Hundreds of tourists closed Peru is being evacuated in the ancient city of Machu Picchu after a state of emergency was declared following the overthrow of the country’s president.

Train services and airports are reopening after disruptions and closures last week.

civil unrest Earlier this month, the former president swept Peru Pedro Castillo was impeached and was arrested, and his ouster accelerated long-standing political tensions in the country. As a result of the protesters’ attack on the airports, rail and air traffic stopped.

PeruRail, Peru’s rail operator for the country’s southern and southeastern regions, said in a statement on Saturday that trains had immediately resumed service to and from Machu Picchu.

A train carrying stranded tourists arrives in Ollantaytambo, Peru on December 17.

Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

“To this end, we are coordinating with the Machu Picchu Municipality to ensure that people board these trains properly to take care of the elderly, people with health conditions, and families with children,” the statement said.

Trains arriving and departing Machu PicchuThe main means of access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site was suspended on Tuesday, and PeruRail said in a statement that it regretted the disruption to services “caused by a situation beyond our company’s control”.

PeruRail also said evacuees will be taken by bus from the community of Piscacucho to Cuzco, where Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) is located.

Airports are finalizing operations

Cuzco airport, 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Machu Picchu, has resumed flights after operations were temporarily suspended amid protests in the country, Peru’s transport ministry said on Friday.

“Passengers who need to travel during the curfew can use their travel tickets as a safe practice,” the ministry said.

Other airports in Peru have begun to reopen, although they were also affected by the unrest

Alfredo Rodriquez Ballon International Airport in Arequipa, Peru’s largest airport in southern Peru, resumed operations at 6:15 a.m. with the first flight, Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications said on Twitter on Monday.

According to the information provided by the Ministry, the Inca Manco Capac International Airport in Juliaca is expected to resume operations from Tuesday.

Unexpectedly closed

About 300 tourists from around the world, including Peruvians, South Americans, Americans and Europeans, are stranded at Machu Picchu, according to Machu Picchu Mayor Darwin Baki.

Baca told CNN on Friday that helicopter flights were required to evacuate tourists after the demonstrations disrupted trains and flights.

Closed tourists pass through Chilka near Machu Picchu.

Alejandra Orosco/Reuters

After the overthrow of Castillo, protests began in various cities of the country, sometimes they were remembered for clashes with the Peruvian security forces. Some protest in support of Castillo, while others want a complete restructuring of the country with new general elections and the dissolution of Congress.

The Machu Picchu Municipality said in a statement on Friday that it will evacuate tourists by Saturday due to rising tensions across the country. At least 20 people were killed during the political demonstrations.

The evacuation effort is a joint effort between the Mayor of Machu Picchu and the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture and the Machu Picchu District Municipality.

Warnings from international governments

The British Embassy in Lima, Peru, has advised British citizens to register through the platform.iPeruThrough their online forms and with local authorities at the Cultural Center on Avenida Pachacutec.

The US State Department has issued a travel advisory for citizens traveling to Peru, listing it as a level three “reconsider travel” destination. The State Department is asking travelers in Peru to register STEP warnings From the US Embassy, if you don’t already have one.

In his address on Sunday, Pope Francis called for peace in Peru.

“We pray for peace in Peru, for an end to the violence in the country and for dialogue to overcome the political and social crisis that afflicts the population.”