State of emergency extended in Peru amid ongoing political protests

According to the UK Foreign Office, the extension to the alert in Pataz province in La Libertad region began on Friday (18 August).

Travellers and Brits in Peru have been advised the protests 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," the FCDO travel advisory reads. "Clashes between protestors and the security forces have resulted in casualties in the past."

Peru’s protests centre on opposition to president Dina Boluarte, who is accused of illegally removing and jailing her predecessor Pedro Castillo last December, just as the country’s tourism industry was getting back on its feet.

Protesters are calling for Boluarte to resign and for elections to be held, despite the country already having had seven presidents in the past six years.

The extension comes after Latam announced plans to re-establish a direct link between the UK and Peru in December when the airline is due to launch services.