What started as demonstrations against increased subway fare in Chile in early October escalated to nationwide riots on Oct. 19 as violence and arson have engulfed the cities of Valparaíso, Concepción, Rancagua, Coquimbo, Antofagasta and the capital of Santiago. Despite a state of emergency being declared throughout cities across the nation, the violence seems to keep getting worse as there have been eight confirmed deaths by Oct. 10. 

At first, the protesters were demonstrating against the Presidency of Sebastián Piñera for increasing subway fares. The demonstrations resulted in the action of increasing subway fares being retracted, but it has not stopped violence from spreading. The situation has escalated to the point where the Chilean military has started to intervene.

The sight of tanks and armed soldiers on the streets is a reminder of the dictator Augusto Pinochet, who established an authoritarian dictatorship and suppressed his people. The country is still recovering from his regime; the conflicts between demonstrators and riot police highlight the fractures in the country.

President Piñera has commented on these protests and the violence associated with them, saying that “Tomorrow we will have a difficult day,” on the evening of Oct. 20, emphasizing that the riots had “a degree of organization, logistics, typical of a criminal organization.” 

The Chilean government has also imposed restrictions on its cities in an attempt to control these conflicts as a curfew was established between Oct. 20 to 21 and larger police and military presence has been established, especially in Santiago where “10,500 soldiers and police officers [are] patrolling the city,” according to the New York Times.

Public services have also been interrupted. According to Santiago subway system chief, Louis de Grange, he is hoping “to restore service to one line by Monday, but four other lines might not be back in service for weeks or months.” 

In addition, 5,000 people are being forced to stay in Santiago’s airport due to canceled flights and disrupted public services. At least two airlines from other airports outside of the city have rescheduled or canceled flights to the city. 

It is unclear how long these riots and the government restrictions are going to last. 

Photo courtesy of USNEWS.COM