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Australian tourists have become stranded near Peru's Machu Picchu ruins after violent protests sweeping across the country killed at least 17 people and crippled transport networks.
- DFAT has confirmed 171 Australians have contacted its embassy in Lima for assistance
- Travel advice for Peru has updated to "reconsider your need to travel" to Arequipa, Cusco and Puno
- A state of emergency and curfews have been imposed in response to protests against the ousting of the country's former president
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has confirmed 171 Australians have so far contacted its embassy in Lima seeking assistance, prompting DFAT to update its travel advice for parts of the South American country.
"Cusco Airport and limited train services have reopened, allowing many of those to depart Cusco and Machu Picchu where transport options had previously been limited," a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.
"DFAT is not aware of any Australians detained or injured."
While Australians are advised to exercise a "high degree of caution" in Peru, they're now being urged to "reconsider your need to travel" to Arequipa, Cusco and Puno due to ongoing civil unrest.
"A nationwide state of emergency and local curfews have been imposed," the warning reads.
The deadly protests were sparked by the ousting of former president Pedro Castillo, who was detained after he tried to illegally dissolve congress and announced he would rule by degree.
The leftist leader was replaced by President Dina Boluarte, who urged the country's Congress to pass a proposal to bring forward general elections in a news conference from the presidential palace on Saturday.
Ms Boluarte on Saturday countered protesters asking for her to step down, saying, "that does not solve the problem," and that she had done her part by sending the bill to Congress.
On Friday, Peru's Congress rejected the proposed constitutional reform to move elections forward to December 2023. Some members of Congress have called for the legislature to reconsider the proposal.
Protests since the arrest of Mr Castillo, who is in pre-trial detention while facing charges of rebellion and conspiracy, have crippled Peru's transport system, shuttering airports and blocking highways.
At least 17 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and the military and authorities say another five have died of indirect consequences of the protests.
On Wednesday, Ms Boluarte's government announced a state of emergency, granting police special powers and limiting citizens' rights, including the right to assembly.
The head of Peru's armed forces, Manuel Gomez, slammed protesters during the news conference.
"These bad people are moving from actions that are violent to actions that are terroristic," he said.
ABC/wires