Tourists blocked in Cuzco, Machu Picchu

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The Lima daily Peru 21 labeled it hara-kiri, a kind of economic suicide.

Protesters blocked tourist access to the ‘Imperial City’’ of Cuzco on Thursday and Friday, stranding thousands of travelers. Train service to the nearby Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was interrupted. Most flights to Cuzco were canceled. Many foreign travelers feared missing international connections via Lima. Tourism is the lifeblood of the Andean town. Cuzco and Machu Picchu are Peru’s major tourism draws.

The protests target recent laws that would permit new hotels, restaurants and other facilities near archaeological sites. The fact that the laws have been modified to give more say to regional authorities did not faze opponents.

President Alan Garcia blamed the whole matter on leftist agitators. Video images of an upset German visitor advising tourists to stay away from Peru made the TV rounds. Tourism officials voiced the hope the damage wouldn’t be long-lasting.

— Patrick J. McDonnell in Lima