[Onthebarricades] PERU: Cuzco gripped by anti-neoliberal protests over privatisation of historic sites

[Andy]

*  Anti-neoliberal protests in the Inca capital Cusco over privatisation of 
historic sites
*  Protesters blocked the road, air and rail links between Cusco and Machu 
Picchu and the rest of the country
*  They also clashed with riot police at the airport and elsewhere
*  Blockages up and down roads and railtracks proved difficult to clear
*  Construction workers, students and market traders were among the 
participants
*  Demonstrations recurred through two weeks in February
*  Protesters, backed by the local government, fear the measures could lead 
to foreign companies exploiting the sites
*  Controversy has caused the government to amend the law, giving greater 
autonomy to the Cusco local government in implementing it
*  Tourists have been arrested under obscure anti-foreigner legislation for 
taking part in the protests


Publicly Archived at Global Resistance: 
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http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-02/2008-02-21-voa63.cfm?CFID=32316840&CFTOKEN=80422667

Peruvians Protest Tourism Plans in Ancient City
By VOA News
21 February 2008

Protests against a tourism development plan in the ancient Peruvian city of 
Cuzco have led to the suspension of public transportation and airport 
operations.
Local authorities and media say protesters marched through the city and used 
rocks and sticks to block major roads Thursday.
The trouble forced authorities to temporarily ground flights at Cuzco's 
airport and affected train service to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu.
Police say they provided escorts to tourists visiting Cuzco's historic 
sites.  Demonstrators are protesting a new law that promotes the development 
of tourism services near archaeological sites.
Cuzco is the site of the ancient Incan civilization and is a UNESCO World 
Heritage Site.  Thursday's protest is the second to hit Peru this week. On 
Tuesday, three people were killed in a demonstration by farmers in Ayacucho 
state protesting a free trade deal with the United States.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news/5801

22 February, 2008 [ 11:15 ]
Peru: Cusco riot / protest to end today, Velasco Astete Airport could open 
tomorrow

(LIP-ir) -- After Cusco's 48-hour strike ends Friday evening, flights to the 
Imperial City will resume once again on Saturday morning, said Carlos Puga, 
the vice minister of transportation and communication.

The Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation (CORPAC) closed 
Velasco Astete Airport at 10 a.m. on February 21 because of violent protests 
that were taking place in the region.

In an effort to keep passengers safe, airport authorities closed the airport 
just before protesters surrounded it.

"It is likely that if protests don't stop then the airport will not reopen. 
We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause passengers and tourists, 
but we believe it would be worse if we opened the airport under these 
circumstances", said the vice minister.

Approximately 500 police officers are guarding the airport to make sure it 
is not overrun by violent protesters, said Peruvian police colonel Alfonso 
Chavarri.

The officers were sent from Lima and guarded the airport on Thursday as 
students and construction workers attempted to take control of it.

Police used tear gas to drive protesters away, who had completely surrounded 
the airport and tried to get onto the property by making a hole on one of 
the airport's outside walls.

Upon realizing they could not get into the airport, protesters made their 
way to the city and had several encounters with Peru's national police.

The majority of Cusco's main roads are completely blocked in some cases 
protesters are charging those that want to use the road.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/02/080211-AP-peru-machu.html

Residents Protest Proposed Hotels Near Machu Picchu

Lima, Peru
Associated Press
February 11, 2008
Residents near Peru's southern highland tourist destinations are fighting 
two government proposals to expand private development around Machu Picchu 
and other historical sites, including the ancient Inca capital of Cusco.
After burning tires and blocking roads around Cusco last week, protestors 
are threatening more unrest if the Peruvian Congress does not reject the two 
proposed laws, said Hugo Gonzales, president of the department of Cusco, 
where Machu Picchu (see video) is located.
PeruRail suspended the only train service to Machu Picchu on Thursday after 
protesters closed roads and blocked access to public transportation. 
Tourists were transported out of the affected areas in police vehicles.
The proposed laws, one of which was already rejected but requires a second 
vote, would ease construction restrictions in Cusco and allow for more 
hotels to be built near archaeological sites. The area between Cusco and 
Machu Picchu is dotted with ancient Inca ruins.
The second law is expected to be voted down as well.
Machu Picchu, ruins of a citadel built in the 1400s, is perched in the 
clouds at 8,000 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level on an Andean 
mountaintop.
Currently there is only one train to the nearby settlement of Aguas 
Calientes, and one hotel at the Machu Picchu site.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-5766-agriculture-peru-protesters-cusco-block-machu-picchu-train-tracks

18 February, 2008 [ 17:00 ]
Peru: Protesters in Cusco block Machu Picchu train tracks

(LIP-ir) -- Approximately 400 tourists traveling to Machu Picchu were unable 
to reach the Inca Citadel because train tracks were blocked this morning by 
farmers taking part in an agriculture protest / strike, reported PeruRail, 
the company that provides visitors with transportation from Cusco to Machu 
Picchu.

Beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m., villagers and farmers blocked the 38th 
kilometer of the train tracks with rocks and sticks, said Gonzalo Rojas, a 
spokesperson for PeruRail.

The tracks were blocked in the Izcuchaca sector, which is located in the 
province of Anta.

Carriages such as the luxurious Hiram Bingham as well as the Backpacker were 
carrying about 400 passengers - unable to reach their destination, they were 
forced to return to their departure point.

Another protest on the 82nd kilometer of the train tracks forced a different 
group of travelers to return.

Even though several sections of the tracks were cleared by Peru's national 
police and PeruRail workers, it was reported that there are still several 
sections of the railway that have not been cleared yet.

PeruRail representatives reported it was evident tourists were bothered by 
protests and the inconvenience of having to return to train stations.

PeruRail is considering bringing some of its passengers back to Cusco by bus 
and then by train.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/distra/2216523021/

Protest in Cuzco shuts down the center
Taken in Cusco, Cusco (See more photos here)
13°31' 02" S, 71°58' 42" W-13.517316-71.978248
Yesterday there was a huge protest in Cusco that shut down the center of the 
city. They were protesting the presidents plans to privatize state run 
businesses. By this he means to sell off to the highest foreign bidder the 
rights to run cultural heritage sites such as : Machu Picchu, 
Ollayantaytambo, Chinchero, Pisac... The people are not pleased in the least 
with this plan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7234224.stm

Friday, 8 February 2008, 07:36 GMT

Draft law sparks protests in Peru
By Dan Collyns
BBC News, Peru

Protesters fear Peru's heritage may be at risk
Thousands of people have brought Peru's tourist capital, Cuzco, to a near 
standstill in a demonstration against development near Inca monuments.
A proposed law would make it easier for private investors to build near some 
of Peru's most famous ancient sites.
In the 24-hour protest, main roads were blocked, tours were cancelled and 
the rail service between Cuzco and Machu Picchu was suspended.
Peru's ancient monuments draw millions of tourists every year.
Cuzco residents marched in opposition to the law, which they say will say 
will harm the city's heritage.
Major roads in and out of town were blocked and access to the famous Sacred 
Valley and the city's Inca fortress, Sacsayhuaman, was blocked with rocks 
and burning tyres.
Suspicion
The proposed law will make it easier for private investors to be awarded 
concessions for the construction of hotels in areas near archaeological 
sites and Cuzco's historic centre.
But in Cuzco there is deep suspicion of the central government and many, 
including the regional authority, argue that such a law would allow foreign 
investors to grow rich from Cuzco's archaeological and cultural heritage.

Machu Picchu is probably the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire
In the first of two votes, Peru's Congress rejected the proposed law.
Nevertheless, Cuzco's regional president, Hugo Gonzalez, said the protest, 
which was timed to coincide with the vote, was necessary to ensure it is 
rejected a second time.
Cuzco's regional authority, which had strong backing from local businesses 
and unions, says the proposed legislation would have a negative impact on 
its income and the preservation of the Inca monuments.
But Peru's Tourism Minister, Mercedes Araoz, said the law was intended to 
promote investment and the protest was the result of a misunderstanding.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/headlines/2008/02/10/52314/Residents-plan.htm

Residents plan to block historic roads, Machu Picchu rail to protest Peru's 
tourism proposal

Sunday, February 10, 2008
AP

LIMA, Peru -- Residents near Peru's southern highland tourist destinations 
are fighting two government proposals to expand private development around 
Machu Picchu and other historical sites, including the ancient Inca capital 
of Cuzco.
Protesters, who burned tires and blocked roads around Cuzco last week, are 
threatening more unrest if Congress does not reject the two proposed laws, 
said Hugo Gonzales, president of the department of Cuzco where Machu Picchu 
is located, on Saturday.
PeruRail suspended the only train service to Machu Picchu Thursday after 
protesters closed roads and blocked access to public transportation. 
Tourists were transported out of the affected areas in police vehicles.
The proposed laws, one of which was already rejected but requires a second 
vote, would ease construction restrictions in Cuzco and allow for more 
hotels to be built near archaeological sites. The area between Cuzco and 
Machu Picchu is dotted with ancient Inca ruins. The second law is expected 
to be voted down as well.
Machu Picchu, ruins of a citadel built in the 1400s, is perched in the 
clouds at 2,430 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level on an Andean 
mountaintop.
Machu Picchu is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. But the U.N. 
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has threatened to put it 
on an endangered list because of overuse by tourists.
Currently there is only one train to nearby Aguas Calientes, and one hotel 
at the Machu Picchu site.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/19/worldupdates/2008-02-19T051942Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-320203-1&sec=Worldupdates

World Updates
Tuesday February 19, 2008 MYT 7:46:04 AM
Striking farmers shut access to Peru's Machu Picchu
LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian farmers upset over a free trade deal with the 
United States blocked rail service to the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu 
on Monday and paralyzed vast swaths of the Andean country by halting traffic 
on key highways.
The protests stranded thousands of travelers, including some 400 people who 
were stuck on the train to the ancient Incan citadel, Peru's top tourist 
attraction.

A tourist sits at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cuzco July 7, 2007. 
(REUTERS/Andina Agency/Handout/Files)
The Pan-American highway, the major road on the Peruvian coast, was blocked 
north and south of the capital, Lima, travelers and police said. Farmers 
nationwide snarled traffic with tree trunks, rocks and sand.
"The government only listens to us when we strike," said Antolin Huascar, 
the head of a national farmers' group. He said farmers would strike until 
the government agrees to meet with them about their demands.
Farmers are frustrated by rising fertilizer costs, want debt relief, and say 
a free trade deal with the United States will flood local markets with 
imports of subsidized U.S. agricultural goods.
Peru signed the free-trade agreement in December and plans to strike deals 
with China, Canada and Mexico soon.
Peru exports grapes and asparagus to the United States, and the government 
says the trade pact will give local farmers permanent access to the U.S. 
market.
President Alan Garcia is pushing free trade as a way to lift incomes in a 
country where some 12 million people live in poverty. Peru is one of the 
world's fastest-growing economies, expanding nearly 9 percent last year.
The South American country is a leading minerals exporter and most mines 
rely on railroads to get their metals to ports on the Pacific Ocean.

http://www.theperuguide.com/peru_travel_adventure_news/2008/02/08/cusco-protest-against-tourism-draft-law/

Cusco protest against tourism draft law
February 8th, 2008
According to El Comercio, a demostration in Cusco that draw some 25.000 
protesters ended without consequences. The protest was called after 
knowledge of a draft Law that would make it easier for private investors to 
build near famous ancient sites in Cusco.
Roads were blocked and the train service from Cusco to Machu Picchu was 
suspended, as had been previously announced by Peru Rail, the company 
managing the railway. Flights in and out of Cusco, though, continued to 
operate normally.
The proposed law, number 20167, will make it easier for private investors to 
be awarded concessions for building hotels near Cusco's historic centre and 
in areas adjacent to archaeological sites. But Cusqueños -including the 
regional authority- fear that the law would just make it easier for foreign 
investors to grow rich from the old Inca Capital's cultural heritage.
The controversy, though, is far from coming to an end. One of the leaders of 
the protest announced they will call for a new demonstration if the central 
government in Lima didn't revoke the law.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news/5735

14 February, 2008 [ 07:45 ]
Peru: Cusco to protest despite modification of tourism investment law

(LIP-ir) -- After protests and strikes were held in Cusco over a law that 
would facilitate foreign investment near and around archaeological sites as 
well as ease the concession of these sites to private investors, Peru's 
Congress approved the legislation after several changes had been made.

Congress approved the law after it had been decided that full power would be 
given to Cusco's government to apply the law or not.

The law has been modified so that the process to acquire a license to build 
a hotel is easier in areas that are not heritage sites.

After concerns that the new legislation would put Peru's archaeological 
heritage at risk, Congress decided that the law would not apply to these 
sites, placing the responsibility of deciding where new establishments were 
built on the regional government of Cusco.

Despite the changes made, the regional government of Cusco has announced 
that a protest and strike will take place on Friday.

Samuel Gleiser, president of Lima's Chamber of Commerce has stated that the 
decision to hold a protest is irrational because the law has been changed 
and control has been given to Cusco's government.

Peru's Minister of Tourism, Mercedes Araoz asked Cusco's regional 
authorities to rethink their actions, stating it was irresponsible not to 
discuss the matter and encourage the region's people to protest.

Araoz explained the new legislation had not been created to concede Cusco's 
sites to investors or privatize these areas, but had been established so 
that an investment plan could be created to benefit the entire region.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news/5748

15 February, 2008 [ 12:15 ]
Peru: Strikes & Protests to cost Cusco $7 million per day

(LIP-ir) -- After severe criticism from Peru's central government and being 
told to seriously reconsider his actions, the regional president of Cusco, 
Hugo Gonzales, announced yesterday that the strike which had been planned 
for Friday would be postponed.

A protest took place last week when the government announced it would pass a 
law that would make if easier for private investors to be granted concession 
in Cusco and build hotels near archaeological ruins.

Despite violent protests, the law was modified and approved.

Changes to the law state that the regional government of Cusco has the power 
to decide where establishments are to be built and if concessions will be 
granted.

Despite changes, regional authorities are unsure whether to support a strike 
in the city or not.

Unions and political fronts have gathered in Cusco and are ready to strike 
but have not received the regional government's approval yet.

After a meeting with Cusco's regional authorities and considering the 
changes made to the law, Hugo Gonzales announced that protests and strikes 
would be postponed.

Cusco will lose approximately $7 million per day and more importantly will 
damage its image, assured Jaime Cáceres Sayán, the president of Peru's 
National Confederation of Private Companies (CONFIEP).

"Airlines will stop flying to Cusco, tours will be canceled and worldwide 
repercussions will be terrible", said Cáceres Sayán.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-5790-law-order-five-foreign-tourists-detained-taking-part-protests-peru

21 February, 2008 [ 08:15 ]
Five foreign tourists detained for taking part in protests in Peru

(LIP-ir) -- Five foreign tourists were detained by Peru's national police in 
Cusco for taking part in protests against a new tourism law that facilitates 
the concession of cultural sites and the expansion of hotels in the region.

Three tourists from Argentina, one from Colombia and another from Spain were 
detained for taking part in protests alongside merchants from the San Pedro 
de Cusco central market earlier this week, said police at the Imperial City.

According to lawyers, by taking part in open manifestations against the 
Peruvian government and protesting alongside merchants, the tourists 
violated aliens act 703.

The five tourists were identified as 57-year-old Mercedes Páez Guerrero from 
Colombia, Marta Doménech Jiménez (41) from Spain, Alejandro Mario Beretta 
(32) from Argentina as well as Matías and Bruno Murabito (24 and 21 years 
old).

Farmer's protests

Peru's President Alan Garcia blamed "pseudo leaders and extremists" for the 
deaths of several people during farmer's protests earlier this week. He 
stated that the leaders of these organizations did not go out and protest 
themselves but sent their members out as "cannon fodder".

On Tuesday evening, union leaders officially called off protests, which were 
begun to push for state subsidies and concessions on loans.