Paro (Strike)

I would like to share some interesting photos from the recent city-wide "paro" - or strike.  This was a highly organized event which successfully shut down the city for two days.  My office was closed and we worked from home.

Many mayors of the cities within the Cusco metro area were in agreement that the demonstration needed to take place.  Therefore, in large meetings, the activities were organized and made public. This involved marching in the streets with home-made signs, blocking roads with rocks and trash, and meeting up at central locations to show the numbers of people involved.  Activities took place all around "el centro" - the center - but the entire city was shut down.  Everyone knew that it was not a day to work.

The issues that inflamed both the general public and local officials are related to the presidential office in Cusco, lack of fulfilled of campaign promises to the Cusco region.  Primary issues are the continued stalling of the construction of an international airport, high gas prices, and alignment with the US in opening markets.

"President" "traitor" "gas" "airport" "medicines"

In nearby Chinceros an aeropuerto (airport) is supposed to be built, but many believe its 10 years of delays to be conspiracy related as many in Lima do not want competition from another international airport in Peru. Protestors are angry because people have already been forced from their land and yet there is no progress and no related opportunities.  Additionally, gas lines pump gas from the Amazon all the way to coastal Lima, resulting in prices a third of those in Cusco for 5 or 6 times the distance. Cusco is demanding they also receive the benefits of piped natural gas, considering it is both an important, large city very close to the gas fields.

My road was blocked

Most interesting to me is the anger against new market-opening policies undertaken by President Humala in signing bi-lateral trade agreement with the US.  Many of those in Cusco, and even more those outside of Cusco, do not believe that the market opening policies (aligning Peru more closely with western markets, including the US) will help small business owners and regular people.  It may help to raise the GDP, but they believe the profits will go to owners of large business and the politically powerful.  If the structure we have today United States is a model, they are probably right.

A surge of people move past, on their way to the center

These don't tend to be dangerous in the city, but outside of the city people do get hurt, sometimes even killed. I have no idea but I'd have to imagine its because the rural people are 1) more angry and 2) less respected by the government. In Cusco, store fronts are closed.  Any store seen open is at risk of having a window smashed.  I did see a crowd bang violently on a door near my house before dumping a box of garbage inside the metal outer door.  When I asked why, a woman told me it was because they drove their car today.

So, how to survive a paro: Do not drive.  Do not work.  Do not buy anything from stores that are open.  Bicycles are okay.  Walking is fine.  But on paro day just remember that you have no work, no where to go (driving), and nothing to buy.  Have respect for the demonstration and let them shut down the city.  Its quite refreshing to see that people's issues are taken seriously and respected by their community.

I don't have much to comment on the impact of the paro, but when I do hear I will add an update to this post.