American Citizen Services

WARDEN MESSSAGE

Posted:  February 2, 2010

On January 28 the Peruvian Government declared a 60-day state of emergency in Cusco Province, in the Peruvian Andes, because unusually severe seasonal rains caused flooding and landslides.  The capital city of Lima is not affected.

Peruvian authorities announced the Machu Picchu archeological park and Inca Trail are closed.  The rail line between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the base camp for Machu Picchu, is closed due to landslides and will remain closed possibly until March.   There is flooding along the Urubamba river in the Sacred Valley.

Tourist sites within the city of Cusco are open and operating as usual.  Regular flights in and out of the city of Cusco continue, but delays due to bad weather are not uncommon. 

The rainy season in Cusco generally lasts into March, but the El Nino phenomenon this year may aggravate or extend the rainy season.  Travelers may wish to monitor the media and consult with their travel professional for up to date information on closings at individual sites, and may consider deferring travel until conditions improve.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located

iN Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or for after-hours emergencies; fax 51-1-618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website at http://lima.usembassy.gov/.  The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 am weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, can be found at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco.  The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Warden Message Update #2

 Posted: January 27, 2010

The government of Peru has declared a state of emergency for 60 days in two southeast provinces due to heavy rains.  The region has suffered flash floods, landslides and flooding that have closed roads, bridges and railines.  The airport in Cusco is operating sporadically.

This measure covers the provinces of Cusco and Apurimac, and their towns of Calca, Cusco City, Urubamba, Canchis Quispicanchi, Anta and the Convention.  Included in affected areas are Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu Pueblo. 

The U.S. Embassy has sent field teams to Aguas Calientes, where many tourists are stranded; to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, where tourists who are being evacuated from the area of Machu Picchu are arriving; and to Cusco, to assist American citizens who are stranded there.  The road from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is open and transportation is being provided to the evacuees.  American citizens may wish to contact the US consular agency located at Avenida Pardo #845, in Cusco. 

The Embassy is attempting to send helicopters to Aguas Calientes, at the base of the Machu Picchu ruins, to assist in removing American citizens, and in support of Peruvian Government assistance operations.  Delays resulting from the rains, high altitude and fuel shortages may hamper air operations. 

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy?s Consular Section, located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or for after-hours emergencies; fax 51-1-618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website at http://lima.usembassy.gov/.  The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 am weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, can be found at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco.  The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Warden Message Update

Limited American Citizen Services

Posted:  January 26, 2010

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Peru that the American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy, Lima Peru will only offer limited services on Wednesday January 27, 2010.  Due to the Emergency situation in Cusco and Machu Picchu (see the Warden Message posted January 25, 2010) we will not be offering notary services, interviewing for Consular Reports of Births Abroad, or taking passport renewal applications. Only emergency passport services will be available on Wednesday January 27, 2010.

Unless noted via subsequent update, services will return to normal on Thursday January 28.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or for after-hours emergencies; fax 51-1-618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website at http://lima.usembassy.gov/.  The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 am weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, can be found at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco.  The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Inclement Weather in Cusco

Posted: January 26, 2010

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in and around Cusco, Peru of travel difficulties due to bad weather.  Heavy rains since January 22, 2010 have caused landslides throughout the Sacred Valley, blocking routes into and out of Cusco.  Travelers should consider postponing visits to Cusco and Machu Picchu until the weather clears and the roads and train are re-opened.

We have received reports of the following:

·         The airport in Cusco is closed;

·         The train to/from Cusco and Machu Picchu has been cancelled since January 23 due to landslides;

·         The roads into and out of Machu Picchu are currently closed;

·         The Pisac bridge has collapsed;

·         The Huallabamba bridge is under water; and

·         There was a landslide in Oropesa en route to Puno, travel is limited.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located

in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or for after-hours emergencies; fax 51-1-618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website at http://lima.usembassy.gov/.  The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 am weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, can be found at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco.  The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)

Posted: January 22, 2010

The computer-based Foreign Service Officer exam will be offered in Lima on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. If all of the March 2 seats are taken; there will be a second test date on Wednesday, March 3. All testing sessions in Lima will be in the afternoon on the date specified.

The registration deadline for overseas test centers is Friday, February 19, 2010. Candidates may complete their registration package by clicking here and will and will receive notification from ACT that they are qualified to schedule their tests. Test applicants may then schedule their tests by going to the internet address provided by ACT and following the instructions to schedule their test.

The careers.state.gov web site provides a wealth of other helpful information. Test seats must be scheduled by Monday, February 22, 2010, and seats may be scheduled only after registration is complete.

Posted: January 22, 2010

After the tragic earthquake that struck near Port au Prince, Haiti last week, many groups and countries are rushing aid to the people of Haiti. The U.S. State Department asks all American Citizens who would like to help in sending relief to Haiti to first visit the U.S. State Department link by clicking here.

The FBI reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.
• Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.
• Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Anyone who has received an e-mail referencing the above information or anyone who may have been a victim of this or a similar incident should notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov.

Americans living or traveling in Peru are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Peru. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy or Consular Agent. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section, located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or 51-1-618-2936 for after-hours emergencies (English) or 51-1-618-2935 for after-hours emergencies (Spanish); fax 51-1-618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website. The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, is located at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco. The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Update on Swine Flu:  April 28, 2009

Posted: May 15, 2009

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Peru of the outbreak of Swine Flu in several countries throughout the region and the world.  Although no cases have been reported in Peru, Peruvian authorities are expecting that Peru may also have some cases. 

Peruvian authorities have begun monitoring arriving passengers from the United States and Central America for swine flu.  Incoming passengers may be asked to provide a throat swab, and provide contact information for their stay in Peru.  Results may take several days.  Authorities will contact anyone whose results are positive, and have said they will transport those people to a hospital, where they will be quarantined and treated.  Peruvian authorities have provided a toll-free phone number to call for information; the number is 0-800-10828. 

The U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor this situation and will issue updated messages.  For further information about Human Swine Influenza, please consult the Department of State information on Swine Flu by clicking here, the United States Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization website.

The U.S. based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday to Friday, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S. at (202) 501-4444.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section, located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-618-2000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or (51-1) 618-2936 for after-hours emergencies (English) or (51-1) 618-2935 for after-hours emergencies (Spanish); fax (51-1) 618-2397, or 618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); Internet website. The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco, Peru, can be found at Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco.  The office can be reached by phone at (51-84) 231-474, and is open Monday thru Friday, excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.