Cusco Shut Down: National Strike Grips Peruvian City

Cusco at a Standstill: National Strike Disrupts City Life Cusco, Peru – A national strike brought the historic city of Cusco to a standstill on May 14, 2025. The strike, marked by a significant lack of public transportation and the closure of many businesses, highlighted the depth of local discontent. Videos circulating on social media showed large groups of protestors marching through the streets. The strike's impact was widespread, affecting not only local residents but also tourists and the city's economy. "It's impossible to get around," said one resident, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. "The buses aren't running, and even taxis are having trouble navigating the crowds." PeruRail, the main transportation company serving the region, announced the suspension of service on the Cusco-Ollantaytambo route, severely impacting access to Machu Picchu. Despite this disruption, local authorities, including the mayor of Cusco and the mayor of Machu Picchu, publicly expressed their support for the protestors' demands, signaling a complex political situation. While the strike caused significant disruption, the peaceful nature of the protests and the authorities' engagement with the protestors' concerns offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution. The coming days will be crucial in observing the authorities' response to the protestors' demands and the eventual return to normalcy in Cusco.