Americans are still struggling to get back to US
Americans stranded in Peru because of the coronavirus pandemic have begun organizing among themselves to share information and vent their mounting frustration over the Trump administration’s efforts to catch up with a backlog of U.S. citizens trapped overseas.
About 2,700 Americans who have faced difficulty leaving Peru have joined together, sharing names and contact details on a spreadsheet that has been provided to U.S. lawmakers and the State Department.
In one instance, the shared list even was used when the child of one member suffered a seizure, prompting a neurologist in the group to advise the parent on medications available locally.
“We are being held hostage here, and we don’t know by whom or why,” said Michael Katz, 66, of Katonah, N.Y. Mr. Katz and his partner, 65-year-old Rita Lenda, are stranded in Cusco. “The State Department is completely useless and totally incompetent.”
Mr. Katz and Ms. Lenda are among 13,500 Americans the State Department estimates have sought help through a government travel-registration system after the pandemic closed borders and canceled flights. Officials said the overall number of stranded travelers could range into the tens of thousands, including those who haven’t registered.
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State Department officials said later Tuesday that at least 40 flights are scheduled within the next six days to return an estimated 3,400 U.S. citizens to American soil from countries around the world. Officials acknowledged the frustration, but said the delays are largely attributable to the system established by the Peruvian government.
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Peruvian officials said while the crisis has limited the country’s flight capacity, they don’t know why the Americans haven’t sent more planes. An official at the Foreign Ministry said it was now working to get Americans and other foreigners stuck in Peru back home.
“We are in a crisis,” the official said. “We are just opening up to get people out and bring our people back.”
U.S.-bound flights are expected for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the official said. The flights, overseen by the U.S. government, will arrive and take off from an air force base near Lima’s airport.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-stranded-abroad-fume-over-the-long-wait-to-come-home-11585091082
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