Chile declares state of emergency as student protest against transit fare hikes rock capital

RT
Sat, 19 Oct 2019 19:08 UTC

© Reuters/Ramon Monroy
A subway ticket office is seen on fire during a protest against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago, Chile, October 19, 2019

Harrowing photographs show the mayhem in downtown Santiago, following violent protests sparked by a recent fare hike for public transport in the Chilean capital. The country's president has announced a state of emergency.

Addressing the nation in the early hours of Saturday, President Sebastian Pinera said that he would invoke a special state security law to prosecute black-hooded rioters who have set fires, looted, and destroyed public infrastructure in the capital.

© Reuters/Ramon Monroy
The corporate building of the multinational energy company ENEL, is seen on fire during a protest against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago, Chile, October 18, 2019

The government increased prices for metro rides in early October, prompting high school and university students to take to the streets.

In his speech, Pinera promised that he would work to "alleviate the suffering of those affected by the increase in fares."

© Reuters/Carlos Vera
A demonstrator clashes with riot police during a protest against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago, Chile, October 18, 2019

The demonstrations became especially violent on Friday, with photographs showing people clashing with riot police.

Protesters also set fire to a metro ticket office and an office building in the city center.

© Reuters/Carlos Vera
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago, Chile, October 18, 2019

The metro system has been closed, with authorities stating that "serious destruction" made it impossible to operate trains safely.

Comment: So is this a people's revolution against a government's financial overreach, like the Yellow Vest protests of France, or another cynical 'color revolution' fueled by the West, as in Hong Kong? Only time will tell, but the photos of protesters in imitation 'Black Bloc' uniform, backpack, and facemask, do not look promising.

Reader Comments

Niall · 2019-10-20T13:55:45Z

So many protests/riots in so many places. Each is different in origin and scope, but all are headed in the same direction: global rebellion.

Against what? Extinction!

As deluded as the middle class XR protesters in London are, they might - in a roundabout way - be the most 'on topic': are people everywhere realizing that something is seriously 'amiss'? Are they 'acting out' a generally unspoken anxiety about 'something coming down the pike'?

LonSabbatical · 2019-10-20T14:19:19Z

Comets? Wouldn't they be detectable by now?

Niall · 2019-10-20T18:07:45Z

LonSabbatical No, although people may have noticed the increase in meteor fireballs. I was thinking more that most people have by now noticed that the climate, both social and environmental, has changed. This is an alarming thing to come to terms with, so they generally don't, and instead channel their angst about it and what it portends into the nearest 'cause' to fight for.

An interesting video showing the increase in protests around the world in recent decades. It stops at 2014, so by now the whole world must be a glowing ball of red and purple.

[Link]

expat in chile · 2019-10-21T00:35:55Z

Agree with the above, it is called "shitting in your own nest" or bed which even dogs know better to do.

EIC, emotionally and mentally exhausted after three days of incredulity that I never expected.

And I lived through the Chile 8.8 2010 quake and aftermath.

No one should be surprised when no one suffers anything adverse for the above treasons. R.C.

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Society's Child

Chile declares state of emergency as student protest against transit fare hikes rock capital

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