Negotiations over the past two months between the company and its powerful workers' union over a new labor contract have been conducted in utmost secrecy.

Residents of three communities in the Chumbivilcas province of the Andean region of Cusco began the blockade on July 23.

While producer profits are booming thanks to high prices fueled by the pandemic recovery, their operations are paying the price of covid-fighting measures.

A leadership team headed by centrist legislator María del Carmen Alva from the Popular Action party won by 69-to-10 votes against a rival grouping led by retired military man Jorge Montoya.

Flooding has caused at least $10 billion in damage, and infrastructure will need to be rebuilt.

Durban, the busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, was affected.