Panamericana Sur highway blocked by landslides in southern Peru

Severe landslides and mudflows (huaicos) have blocked the Panamericana Sur highway in southern Peru, specifically in the Atico-Ocoña sector of the Arequipa region. The disruption has stranded hundreds of vehicles, including heavy cargo trucks and passenger buses, cutting off the primary land connection between Arequipa and Lima.

The economic consequences are significant. The President of the Arequipa Chamber of Commerce estimated daily losses of approximately S/200 million, with total losses potentially exceeding S/1,000 million. The blockage has paralyzed interprovincial transport, halted ticket sales at terminals, and caused price increases for basic goods.

A critical shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (GLP) has emerged in Arequipa and Tacna as fuel tankers are unable to pass the blocked zones. Drivers report waiting up to five hours at service stations, with some prices rising from S/7 to S/10 per gallon. In response, the government has issued a ministerial resolution to declare an emergency regarding the fuel shortage to facilitate distribution.

President Keiko Fujimori visited the affected area to supervise emergency works. While authorities hope to rehabilitate the road within hours, ongoing landslides and the arrival of El Niño weather patterns continue to complicate cleanup efforts by the PNP, Armed Forces, and INDECI.