on Monday affirmed that the Government is not going to desist from the work to establish a modern and transparent electronic ticketing plan for entry to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
"The challenge at this moment, on which the Government is working, is to establish a modern and transparent electronic ticketing plan that enables our wonder to be accessible in a transparent manner for all of world tourism," he said at a press conference after the Council of Ministers session.
In this sense, the Cabinet chief mentioned the existence of a mafia ring linked to the sale of tickets to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. He added it has been operating illegally for years.
"Three ministers, led by the Culture minister (Leslie Urteaga), have been making every effort to break up a mafia ring that has been inappropriately using this issue of tickets, and we are not going to take a step back in the need to change that model of corruption which has been operating illegally for many years," Otarola expressed.
Thus, the government official indicated that dialogue with the authorities and affected population will be prioritized. However, he said, the actions that affect citizens' well-being will not be accepted.
"It is a small and reduced group of hidden interests that have seen an illegal business affected," he said.
The prime minister reminded citizens that the blockade of roads or access routes to the nation's heritage is punishable through Decree Legislative No. 1589, thus meaning a penalty of between 10 and 15 years in prison.
Moreover, Otarola pointed out that the principle of authority will prevail. He added that the Executive Branch will continue supporting the Culture Ministry's administration in order to achieve the electronic sale of tickets for entry to Machu Picchu.
"We express all our support for this administration (to the Culture minister), and we call on the population and those who are insisting on a return to the previous modality to tell them that it is not going to happen," he indicated.