Authorities declared a state of emergency in Arequipa, a southern city of more than one million people, after three days of demonstrations and riots protesting the privatization of two state-owned electric companies. Protesters blocked roads all over the city and caused significant damage at the international airport where they tore out landing-strip lights and threw rocks onto runways. A group of American missionaries was evacuated by helicopter while more than 100 other foreign travelers were stranded. The state of emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, with public rallies and demonstrations prohibited.
