LIMA, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Peru announced it has withdrawn as host of the 2015 Desafío Inca and the 2016 Dakar Rally due to increasing concerns about a strong El Niño phenomenon.
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism confirmed on Monday that the Desafío Inca motorsports event, also known as the Inca Challenge, scheduled for Sept. 10-13 was cancelled. Peru also withdrew from hosting the Dakar Rally that was scheduled to begin in Lima on Jan. 3.
The 2016 Desafío Inca, held in Ica, southern Peru, has also been cancelled.
"In view of the impact that the phenomenon El Niño could have in distinct zones of the country; and, in anticipation of the effects in the population as a result thereof, it has been decided to cancel the participation in the motor sport events," the ministry said in a statement. "This decision reflects the necessary priority to mitigate the effects on the population."
This year's Desafío Inca had 120 people enrolled to the event. Officials coordinating the Dakar Rally are attempting to create routes following Peru's cancellation.
