Travel disruptions

Significant travel disruptions are continuing in the Andean city of Potosi on 9 August 2010 as local residents stage demonstrations over long-standing demands for development projects. Protesters seized the city's Captain Nicolas Rojas Airport (SLPO/POI) on 6 August, leaving aircraft grounded and scores of foreign tourists stranded. Access into and out of Potosi remains disrupted because an estimated 6,000 protesters have blocked major highways and the rail line to Chile with large rocks. There are unconfirmed reports that protest leaders have warned that they will "blow up" buses attempting to leave the city. Hundreds of tourists -- including more than 100 from Europe -- are unable to leave Potosi because of the demonstrations, which began 10 days earlier.