[This message has been edited by Gary Bala]
U.S. Embassy in Lima is alerting all U.S. citizens of a possible coca growers strike in Cuzco from Oct. 18 to 20, 2005, which could result in disruptions of travel and transportation for those visiting Cuzco and transiting through to Machu Picchu.
Here is the travel alert.
Hope this information is helpful.
GB
U.S. EMBASSY, LIMA
OCTOBER 14, 2005
This Public Announcement is being released to alert U.S. citizens residing in or traveling through Cuzco Peru that they may be inconvenienced by upcoming strikes by coca growers.
Coca growers in Cuzco have called for a 'series of actions' from October 18 through about October 20, 2005. Previous calls for strikes by cocaleros in Cuzco have resulted in widespread disruption of ground transportation and closure of the airport. On one recent occasion a group of foreign tourists was involuntarily held captive for several hours by strikers. The Department of State advises travelers who intend to be in Cuzco on the planned strike dates that they may be inconvenienced by the possible closure of the airport, by the unavailability of transportation to or from the airport and by possible blockages of roads in and around Cuzco. The Department of State also cautions travelers to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and to maintain heightened vigilance in public areas.
Additional travel information is available in the State Department's consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov . In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
Americans living or traveling in Peru are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov , and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Guatemala. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy is located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-434-3000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or 51-1-618-2935 for after-hours emergencies.
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