THE airport in Cusco, the gateway to the famed Machu Picchu site in southern Peru, reopened yesterday after being shuttered over a flare-up in weeks-long protests that have killed dozens.

Supporters of ousted president Pedro Castillo have marched and barricaded streets around the South American country since December, demanding new elections and the removal of current leader Dina Boluarte.

Authorities Thursday suspended operations as a preventative measures at the airport, which handles the second-most air traffic in the country, after demonstrators tried to reach the transport hub.

In December, it suspended operations for five days.

The countrywide demonstrations have at times turned violent and at least 42 people have been killed in clashes with security forces.

The number of protest roadblocks in Peru meanwhile climbed yesterday to 100, with blockages particularly concentrated around Lima, transport authorities said. – AFP, January 15, 2023.