Thousands of tourists are relocated from Machu Picchu due to local demonstrations
In a surprising turn of events, an overnight operation was carried out on Monday to evacuate around 1,400 tourists who were stranded at the Aguas Calientes train station. The disruption was caused by local residents who placed logs and rocks on the tracks, demanding a new company to manage the bus service between the train station and the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 15th century, is a significant contributor to Peru's economy. Tourists flock to this marvel of architecture and engineering, with an average of 4,500 visitors, many of them foreigners, visiting each day.
The current bus service at Machu Picchu is provided by a company whose 30-year concession has expired, causing dissatisfaction among the residents. In January last year, a similar incident occurred, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 1,200 tourists from the site.
During Monday night's temporary unblocking of the tracks, 14 police agents were injured in clashes with protesters. The authorities have not disclosed the nationalities of the visitors, but one Chilean tourist, Miguel Salas, stated that he could not walk due to his pregnant wife.
Authorities suggested the trapped tourists walk for several hours to catch a train or other means of transport out of the Machu Picchu area. The complex was closed for 25 days during protests over the impeachment and arrest of then-president Pedro Castillo a year earlier.
In response to the residents' demands, Tourism Minister Desilu Leon has planned a meeting with local authorities and unions to address the complaints. The residents are calling for a new company to be chosen in a fair bidding process to operate the buses. However, the name of the new entrepreneur selected for this task has not been explicitly named in the available sources.
Visitors to Machu Picchu can take a bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the citadel and return the same way. They arrive at Aguas Calientes by train from the city of Cusco, which is approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles) away.
Despite these disruptions, Machu Picchu remains a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world. The Peruvian government continues to work towards finding a solution that satisfies both tourists and the local residents.
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