Protesters Blocked Train to Machu Picchu

Tourist train service to the mountaintop Inca ruins at Machu Picchu was halted for two days last week as demonstrators continued to block the tracks as part of a dispute with a local mayor.

“Train operations remain suspended,” said PeruRail spokeswoman Aurora Pratto, adding that about 1,000 tourists and commuters were waiting for transport back to the nearby city of Cuzco.

Pratto said PeruRail planned to operate more trains to accommodate hundreds of tourists waiting to go to the ruins when the tracks were cleared.

The protesters accuse Aguas Calientes Mayor Oscar Valencia of corruption. Valencia maintains the demonstrations stem from a dispute over tourism income.

Machu Picchu, Peru´s top tourist destination, sits atop a craggy peak 40 miles northwest of Cuzco.