https://wgntv.com/news/interna...stuck-amid-conflict/


Two Chicago police officers on vacation in Peru stuck amid conflict

by: Jenna Barnes, Andrew Smith, Associated Press

Posted: Dec 15, 2022 / 06:47 PM CST

Updated: Dec 16, 2022 / 06:25 AM CST


CHICAGO — Two Chicago police officers are stuck in Peru as the government declared a police state amid civil strife.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Peru saying Americans should reconsider travel there because of crime and civil unrest.

But the two officers who were already there appear to be stuck.



Amid deadly protests, the government suspended the rights of personal security and freedom for 30 days.



The violent protests have disrupted trade and tourism. John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago, said the officers, who were on vacation, can’t get out.

“They were slated to come back on Monday,” Catanzara said.


After realizing what was happening, the officers went to the airport early Monday to try to secure their exit.

“They were basically told after waiting there a couple of hours, ‘Get out of here now, the country is not secured, the airport has been taken over, there’s no flights leaving. Get back to your hotel.”

The U.S. Embassy in Peru reports flights to and from four airports in the country are suspended. The embassy is advising travelers to avoid crowds and demonstrations, follow police instructions and to shelter in place until safe transportation becomes available.

On Thursday evening, a U.S. State Department spokesperson released the following statement to WGN.


The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. Embassy Peru issued alerts on December 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15 and we will continue to evaluate the security situation and provide updates to U.S. citizens as appropriate. We encourage U.S. citizens to follow guidance from the Peruvian National Police and local authorities, and to keep in touch with the airlines for updated flight status.

We strongly encourage all U.S. citizens in Peru to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov to receive the latest Alerts from the Embassy, and to follow us on social media at @travelgov and @USEMBASSYPERU.We are not typically able to provide numbers of U.S. citizens living in or traveling to a particular country. U.S. citizens are not required to register their travel to a foreign country with us, so we cannot track how many U.S. citizens have gone to a specific country.

https://abc7chicago.com/peru-n...e-officers/12586088/


2 CPD officers home after being stranded by Peru protests: 'A Christmas miracle'

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team via WLS logo
Sunday, December 18, 2022 6:30AM



2 CPD officers home after being stranded in Peru

Two Chicago police officers are back home after being stranded in Peru when the country's government declared a state of emergency.



CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two Chicago police officers are back home after being stranded in Peru when the country's government declared a state of emergency.

Violent protests erupted in the streets after former President Pedro Castillo was arrested.

The riots blocked access to transportation, bringing flights and trains to a halt and leaving Americans and other foreign tourists stuck.



John Catanzara Jr., the president of Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police, gave thanks for the officers' safe return.

"A flight leaving their location to Lima, Peru, which was going to be easier to get out of, and that started their journey back home, where they just arrived back in Chicago," Catanzara said. "So, thank you Senator Durbin, a Christmas miracle I guess you could say."

The U.S. State Department is stopping short of issuing a Do Not Travel advisory, but the agency is urging Americans to reconsider traveling to Peru due to the violent protests.