On October 6, Sebastián Piñera's government announced an increase in public transport fare in Santiago. This situation generated massive evasions of high school students who denied paying the Metro (underground/subway). The evasion movement rapidly escalated with the addition of university students and workers. The price increase was the straw that broke the camel's back after years of abuse. Discontent increased throughout the last weeks and other problems were added to the demands: precarious pension system (AFP), unequal education, impunity in the face of tax evasion and collusion by big businesses, among many other consequences of the neoliberal model. Thus, one of the richest countries in the region, the "Latin American oasis", is one of the most unequal countries in the OECD: the average income of the richest 10% of the Chilean population is 19 times higher than the income of the poorest 10%.
On October 18, demonstrations and protests increased and President Piñera, without responding to the social demands, decreed a State of Emergency, which means that the rights of assembly and mobilization can be suspended or restricted. The repressive measures led to the detention of many people and many were injured (brutally oppressed minors, among others).
On Saturday, October 19th, demonstrations were held in Santiago and in other Chilean cities such as Valparaíso, Iquique, Concepción and Punta Arenas. In Santiago the repression was not only by the police but also by the military.
The government decided on Saturday 19th to suspend the increase in public transportation, without solving other social demands concerning pensions, health, education and other public services. Despite this announcement, the demonstrations were maintained and a curfew was decreed in Santiago from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m, which implies a total restriction on moving around the city or holding meetings. This Sunday 20th, the government increased the curfew. The current hour restriction is between 7:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m.
Currently, protests are taking place in different parts of the country and the military are in charge of the capital of Chile, Valparaiso and Concepcion, a situation that had not happened since 1987 when the country was still under Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship.
The current situation of repression and criminalization (by the state and the official media) of the social movements is of great concern. However, the government's oppressive threats have not succeeded in frightening the Chilean people, who are standing up against all the structural injustices that affect them. After many years, society has come together to demand a dignified life. We must support the Chilean people in their struggle, Chile awakens!
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