Peru: State of emergency declared

Government advice to stay safe

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its advice to travellers: “If you do decide to visit any area under a state of emergency you should follow instructions given to you by police, military or other officials. Political protests in Peru can lead to road blockades, suspension of train services, disruption in immigration services of land borders and airport closures – often without prior notice or estimated reopening timelines. Protests can be unpredictable, can include violence, and can spread and escalate quickly.”

It continued: “Foreign nationals in Peru cannot participate in political activities by law, including in demonstrations against the government. You should be especially vigilant and take particular care to avoid all areas of large gatherings, demonstrations and protests. If possible, you should remain in a safe place, follow the authorities’ advice, and monitor local media, including social media channels. Be wary of unverified, unofficial information.”

The US Department of State did not immediately change its advice about travelling to Peru, although the current information online states clearly the risks travellers take when heading to the country: “Exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and the possibility of kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”

Tourism in Peru

According to the World Tourism Organization, Peru recorded a total of 444,000 tourists in 2021, and is the 10th most popular South American nation for tourists to visit. Tourism generated around US$1.04 billion for Peru in 2021, so political unrest and warnings of how dangerous it could be to travel to the country will inevitably affect this income stream. Lima is the most popular city for travellers to visit, followed by Cusco.

While governments may not always be able to offer assistance to travellers, it’s good to know that insurance and medical assistance companies can, as was the case when PassportCard stepped up to assist tourists caught up in political violence.