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Peru’s government has closed the world-famous Machu Picchu site and the trail that leads to it to protect tourists and citizens.
There have been violent protests in the country since Peru’s previous leader was removed from his position and arrested. Dozens of people have died in the protests.
Last Thursday, trains to Machu Picchu were stopped because some train tracks were damaged, possibly by protestors. Peru’s tourism minister said that 418 people were stuck at the bottom of the mountain that Machu Picchu is on.
On Saturday night, the tourism ministry announced that everyone had been rescued.
This is not the first time that visitors have been stuck at Machu Picchu because of civil unrest. Last month, hundreds of tourists were rescued by helicopter after being stuck for several days.
Machu Picchu is located on top of a mountain in Peru and is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Around one million people visit it every year.
Because Machu Picchu is still closed, the government says that people who already have tickets for the site can use them for one month after the protests end or get a refund.
The protestors in Peru want new elections and want the new leader, Dina Boluarte, to leave her position. They also want the previous leader, Pedro Castillo, who is in jail, to be set free.
The previous leader, Pedro Castillo is accused of “rebellion.” He said he wanted to close congress and create a special government.
Vocabulary
- World famous – very well known around the world; famous everywhere
- Site – a place where something is or was located; location
- Trail – a path for people to walk on, usually in nature
- Protect – keep safe or secure; guard; defend
- Citizen – a national; the person of a country
- Violent – using or involving force to hurt or attack; the use of physical force to cause harm
- Protest – an event where people come together to show strong disapproval/disagreement about something; demonstration; rally
- Remove – to take out; to take away from or take off
- Arrest – If the police arrest you, they take charge of you and take you to a police station
- Position – a job or role
- Dozen – twelve; twelve pieces
- Train track – a path that trains run on, usually made of steel and wood or cement
- Minister – A government person in charge of a department; government secretary; politician
- Stuck – unable to move
- Ministry – a department of a government (education ministry, health ministry, foreign ministry, etc.)
- Announce – share information openly; to tell the public; to make a statement; to report
- Rescue – to save someone or something from danger; to help or free someone
- Civil unrest – a situation in which a large group of people are protesting and causing disorder or damage in a country
- Refund – money that is given back to you; a repayment of money
- Election – a process or event in which people vote to choose a leader or winner
- Jail – a place where people are held/kept as punishment for a crime
- Accused of – blamed for doing something wrong; people have said that you did something bad or illegal
- Rebellion – when a group of people rise up against a government or authority
- Congress – a group of elected officials/politicians who make laws
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- What is the significance of Machu Picchu in Peru and its impact on tourism in the country?
- How have the protests affected tourism in Peru? What will people around the world think about visiting Peru?
- How does the situation in Peru compare to similar situations in other countries where civil unrest or natural disaster has affected tourism? Can you give examples?
Original Story
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