(CNN) — About 300 tourists from around the world were stranded in the ancient city of Machu Picchu due to days of protests in Peru, Machu Picchu mayor Darwin Baca told CNN. Among those stranded were Peruvians, other South Americans, Americans and Europeans, Baca added.

Former President Pedro Castillo was indicted and then arrested in early December after announcing his plans to dissolve Congress. The riots sparked by his arrest sparked international warnings about the trip to Peru.

“We have asked the government to help us and provide helicopter flights to evacuate tourists,” Baca said.

Trains to and from Machu Picchu, the main means of access to the UNESCO World Heritage site, were disrupted on Tuesday, according to a statement from PeruRail, Peru’s rail operator in the south and southeast of the country.

“PeruRail said it was still reviewing the situation,” Baca explained.

In what serves as a beacon of hope for those affected, a statement released Friday evening by the City District of Machu Picchu said that stranded tourists are expected to be evacuated this Saturday.

“The municipal government through the Tourism Unit is carrying out the necessary coordination for the selection and prioritization of children and vulnerable people for transfer to humanitarian flights, work that has been carried out in coordination with the National Police and the district health center, the statement said.

The United States is in touch with US citizens stranded in Peru, a State Department spokesperson told CNN on Friday.

“We are providing all necessary consular assistance, while closely monitoring the situation. Due to privacy and security considerations, we will not be releasing further details on the number of US citizens who have communicated,” the spokesperson added.

The US Embassy in Peru said in a statement Friday morning that the Peruvian government was arranging the evacuation of foreigners from Aguas Calientes, a city that serves as the main access point to Machu Picchu.

“We will release a message with instructions as soon as plans for assistance are confirmed. Travelers who are in Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu City should follow instructions from local authorities if they choose to remain in place to receive assistance en route to Cusco, as well as anyone who chooses to travel on foot,” the statement added.

Food shortages at Machu Picchu

Meanwhile, Mayor Baca warned that Machu Picchu is already suffering from food shortages due to the protests and the local economy depends 100% on tourism.

Baca urged the government led by new president Dina Boluarte to start a dialogue with local residents to end social discontent as soon as possible.

PeruRail, for its part, said it would assist affected passengers to change their travel dates.

“We regret the inconvenience this announcement has caused to our passengers; however, it is due to situations outside our company and we will try to prioritize the safety of passengers and workers,” the company said in a statement.

Peru’s Ministry of Transport said Friday that flights had resumed from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, in Cusco, after being temporarily suspended amid protests in the country.

“Passengers who need to move during the curfew can use their travel tickets as a safety measure,” the ministry said.

Operations to and from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón International Airport in Arequipa continue to be suspended.

“LATAM is continuously monitoring the political situation in Peru to provide pertinent information as to how it may impact our air operations,” LATAM Airlines Peru said in a statement.

“We are waiting for a response from the relevant authorities, who must take steps to ensure the security of developing air operations,” he said.

He added: “We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers by situations beyond our control and we strengthen our commitment to air safety and connectivity in this country.”

US, UK and Canadian alerts

The US Department of State issued a travel advisory for citizens seeking to visit Peru, which has been listed as a level three “reconsideration of travel” destination.

“Demonstrations can lead to the closure of local roads, railways and main roads, often without prior notification or an estimated time of reopening,” the statement said.

“Road closures can significantly reduce access to public transport and airports and can disrupt travel both within and between cities,” he warned.

The Department of State is asking travelers in Peru to register for a STEP warning from the US Embassy if they have not already done so.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also issued a warning to its citizens about the situation in the South American country.

“British citizens should take extra care to avoid all protest areas. If possible, they should stay in a safe place… They should plan ahead for any serious disruption to any plans,” the statement said. FCDO this Friday night on their website.

He also informed travelers arriving in the capital city of Lima that there was no possibility of travel to or from many regional areas, including Cusco and Arequipa, and further disruption was possible.

Britons are also being warned to respect the curfew in effect in Peru and to monitor local news and social media for further information.

Canada’s Department of Global Affairs warned its citizens to take a “high level of caution” in Peru and to avoid non-essential travel to many areas. Canada’s Global News spoke to a Canadian stuck in the small town of Ica in southern Peru, who said he was now far from civil unrest but had a taxi stolen from him.

At least 20 people have died amid political demonstrations.

Tourists run out of medicine

An American tourist stuck in Machu Picchu has run out of medication and isn’t sure when he can leave the small town and get more, he told CNN.

Florida resident Kathryn Martucci, 71, was on a group tour with 13 other Americans when Peru entered a state of emergency, he said.

According to Martucci, his traveling party was unable to catch the last train from the small town before the railroad was cut.

Her son Michael Martucci, who lives in the United States, also spoke to CNN and is trying to help his mother find a way out.

American tourist Kathryn Martucci

“They have been there since Monday, and now he and the other people with him have run out of the medicine they need,” Martucci said. “There is nothing in the small town they are trapped in. They are safe and luckily have food, but no way to get more medicine.”

Martucci said his party was scheduled to stay at Machu Picchu for two days, so they were told to pack light and only carry two days’ supply of medicine.

On Friday morning, Martucci said his tour guide took his group to City Hall for a medical evaluation in the hope that local officials would understand their situation and help them find a way out.

“There were about 100 tourists lined up and we waited two hours before seeing a doctor,” said Martucci. “They told me I was the priority and they would try to get me out of Machu Picchu by helicopter in the next two days.”

However, Martucci wasn’t sure if that would happen, he told CNN. “There are several people who need help and one helicopter can only carry 10 people. We don’t know what happened.”