This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/20/chiles-president-reverses-fare-increase-as-unrest-continues

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Chile: protests rage despite president's retreat over subway fare increase Chile: protests rage despite president's retreat over subway fare increase
(about 1 hour later)
Protests and violence in Chile have spilled over into a new day and turned deadly despite the president cancelling a subway fare hike that prompted the violent demonstrations. Protests and violence in Chile have spilled over into a new day and left at least seven people dead despite the president cancelling a subway fare increase that prompted the violent demonstrations.
Officials in the Santiago region said three people died in fires at two looted supermarkets early on Sunday. Five more people later were found dead in the basement of a burned warehouse and were not employees, authorities said. Santiago and other Chilean cities have been engulfed by several days of riots, along with peaceful protests, after the increase in public transport costs. Authorities said seven people had been killed in incidents related to the protests, without giving further details.
At least two airlines cancelled or rescheduled flights into the capital, affecting more than 1,400 passengers on Sunday and Monday. Violence flared again on Sunday, including the looting of 40 supermarkets and other businesses.
President Sebastián Piñera, facing the worst crisis of his second term as head of the South American country, announced on Saturday night that he was cancelling a subway fare hike imposed two weeks ago. The worsening unrest prompted president Sebastián Piñera to extend a state of emergency to cities in its north and south.
“We are at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use violence without any limits,” Piñera said in a late-night televised statement at army headquarters in Santiago.
Chile protests: state of emergency declared in Santiago as violence escalatesChile protests: state of emergency declared in Santiago as violence escalates
Pinera said Santiago’s metro and bus system would operate a partial service on Monday, along with hospitals and some schools and crèches, and appealed for Chileans to band together and help their neighbors to get on with their lives and remain safe.
“Tomorrow we will have a difficult day,” he said. “We are very aware that (the perpetrators of riots) have a degree of organisation, logistics, typical of a criminal organisation,” he said.
“Today is not the time for ambiguities. I call on all my compatriots to unite in this battle against violence and delinquency,” he said.
At least two airlines cancelled or rescheduled flights into the capital, affecting more than 1,400 passengers on Sunday and Monday.
Piñera, facing the worst crisis of his second term as head of the South American country, announced on Saturday night that he was cancelling a subway fare hike imposed two weeks ago.
Piñera said in a national address broadcast from the presidential palace in Santiago late on Saturday that he had listened “with humility” to “the voice of my compatriots” and to discontent over the cost of living in one of Latin America’s wealthiest yet most unequal nations. He also announced a working group to address their concerns.Piñera said in a national address broadcast from the presidential palace in Santiago late on Saturday that he had listened “with humility” to “the voice of my compatriots” and to discontent over the cost of living in one of Latin America’s wealthiest yet most unequal nations. He also announced a working group to address their concerns.
The fare boost had led to major protests that included rioting that caused millions of dollars in damage to burned buses and vandalized subway stops, office buildings and stores. The fare boost had led to major protests that included rioting that caused millions of dollars in damage to burned buses and vandalised subway stops, office buildings and stores.
After meeting with the heads of the legislature and judicial system on Sunday, Piñera said they discussed solutions to the current crisis and that he aims “to reduce excessive inequalities, inequities abuses, that persist in our society.”After meeting with the heads of the legislature and judicial system on Sunday, Piñera said they discussed solutions to the current crisis and that he aims “to reduce excessive inequalities, inequities abuses, that persist in our society.”
Jaime Quintana, president of the Senate, said that “the political world must take responsibility for how we have come to this situation.”
As ordained by Chile’s dictatorship-era constitution, the state of emergency will apply to Santiago and can last for 15 days. It grants the government additional powers to restrict citizens’ freedom of movement and their right to assembly.
But renewed protests continued after daybreak. Security forces used tear gas and jets of water to try disperse crowds.
Interior minister Andrés Chadwick reported that seven people had died during the demonstrations and that 62 police officers and 11 civilians were injured in the latest disturbances and prosecutors said nearly 1,500 people had been arrested.
Chile students' mass fare-dodging expands into city-wide protestChile students' mass fare-dodging expands into city-wide protest
Jaime Quintana, president of the senate, said that “the political world must take responsibility for how we have come to this situation.”
Interior minister Andrés Chadwick reported that seven people had died during the demonstrations and that 62 police officers and 11 civilians were injured in the latest disturbances and prosecutors said nearly 1,500 people had been arrested.
With transportation frozen, Cynthia Cordero said she had walked 20 blocks to reach a pharmacy to buy diapers, only to find it had been burned.With transportation frozen, Cynthia Cordero said she had walked 20 blocks to reach a pharmacy to buy diapers, only to find it had been burned.
“They don’t have the right to do this,” she said, adding it was right to protest “against the abuses, the increases in fares, against bad education and an undignified pension, but not to destroy.”“They don’t have the right to do this,” she said, adding it was right to protest “against the abuses, the increases in fares, against bad education and an undignified pension, but not to destroy.”
Long lines formed at petrol stations as people tried to fill up for a coming week with a public transport system depleted by the destructive protests.Long lines formed at petrol stations as people tried to fill up for a coming week with a public transport system depleted by the destructive protests.
Subway system chief Louis De Grange said workers would try to have at least one line running by Monday, but he said it could take weeks or months to have the four others back in service.Subway system chief Louis De Grange said workers would try to have at least one line running by Monday, but he said it could take weeks or months to have the four others back in service.
ChileChile
AmericasAmericas
ProtestProtest
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content