LIMA: Machu Picchu in Peru was closed indefinitely on Saturday, the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are spreading across the South American nation.

According to the Ministry of Culture, "For the safety of tourists and to protect the population in general, the most famous tourist destination in the country and the Inca Trail that leads through it have been closed."

According to Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero, more than 300 of the 417 tourists stranded at Machu Picchu were foreigners and were unable to leave.

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The closure of the Incan citadel, built in the 15th century and often listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, comes after protesters from remote Andean regions descended on Lima to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluaarte.

Also on Saturday, police descended on Lima's top public university to forcibly remove demonstrators taking part in large protests. Interior Minister Vicente Romero reported that more than 100 people had been detained.

The protests took place mainly in the south of the country until recently. They began after the impeachment and imprisonment last month of Pedro Castillo, the country's first president of Peru from a rural Andean background, for attempting to dissolve Congress.

Former Vice President Boluarete, who was sworn into office on December 7 to replace Castillo, is being called on by protesters to resign. They also demand the dissolution of the Congress and holding of fresh elections.

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Castillo is currently in custody on charges of insurrection. In the ensuing unrest, more than 55 people have died, most recently in clashes in Puno on Friday night where one protester was killed and at least nine others were injured.

In the southern region, a total of 21 protesters and 1 police officer have died. Police broke into the National University of San Marcos on Saturday morning using a small tank.

Since Thursday, Javier Kutipa, 39, who took the bus from Puno, had been sleeping on the floor there; However, just before the arrival of the police, he leaves for breakfast. He claimed that the use of helicopters, tear gas and small tanks by the police was "practically an assault".

"It disgusts us. According to Kutipa, the only thing the government is accomplishing with these detentions is increasing tensions. When the general public becomes aware of it, he continued," they become more radical. Going to react in fashion.

On Saturday night, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the police stations where the suspects were held, chanting "freedom" and "we are students, not terrorists." More people gathered in other areas of Lima's city center.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urged the government to "guarantee the integrity and due process of all people" and expressed concern over "police intrusions, evictions and mass detentions" at the university.

According to a press release from the university, the protesters "attacked" security personnel, which led to the police raid. Some of the most violent clashes have occurred in Cusco, home of Machu Picchu, resulting in a huge loss of tourism revenue. This week, protesters tried to storm Cusco airport, which led to a brief closure.

There has been no train service to Machu Picchu since Thursday due to track damage. Helguero said some stranded travelers have opted to walk to Piscakucho, the nearest village, but "it involves six, seven or more hours of walking and only a few have been able to do that."

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According to the culture ministry, starting Saturday, a month after the protests end, tourists who had already bought tickets to Machu Picchu will be eligible for a full refund.