Americans stranded in Peru seek help after shutdown

As nations around the world shut their borders in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic, American travelers have found themselves stranded.

In Peru, where President Martin Vizcarra issued a 15-day nationwide state of emergency and border closure Sunday, U.S. travelers say hundreds are stuck in the country without a means of departure.

Kristin Monesmith, an emergency department nurse stuck in Cusco, told CNN that “the quarantine caught us by surprise.”

“I’m an emergency department nurse for the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill,” she said. “I’m stuck and need to be in the States working!”

She said flights were almost immediately canceled. Harman Malhi, a University of Washington virology Ph.D. student who is also in Cusco, said he and his traveling group had tried to get to Lima “ASAP but there were no flights. Our hostel manager also told us that we would not be able to return if we left the hostel.”

“There was a lot of confusion,” he told CNN.

Jesse Curry, who is in Lima with his family, said they “went to bed Sunday and found out early Monday that the borders would be closed.”

“Tried like crazy to book any flight out of Peru, but couldn’t,” he told CNN.

The stranded travelers have sought help with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Lima. Those who spoke with CNN say they have received minimal to no response.

“I received one response to a tweet; otherwise it’s been email auto replies and forever-ringing phones,” said Curry, who lives in Florida. “Even the emergency number just rang and rang.”

Malhi said he has been able to email American Citizens Services, “but all they can offer is an interpretation of the emergency decree.”

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that the State Department “has a responsibility to try and help American citizens wherever they are.”

“It’s not just about our officers serving in these distant places, protecting themselves and our team, but making sure we’re doing the right thing by the American people,” he said at the State Department. Pompeo offered no details about the department’s plans to assist citizens abroad.