Chile protests: Fare increase suspended as unrest continues

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Chile protests: Fare increase suspended as unrest continues

20 October 2019

Chile's President Sebastián Piñera has suspended a rise in metro fares that sparked protests across the country.

Soldiers and tanks were deployed in the capital, Santiago, after the government declared a state of emergency but demonstrations continued on Saturday.

After some clashes, a night curfew was announced in restive areas.

The protests have broadened to reflect general discontent about the high cost of living in one of Latin America's most stable countries.

The unrest, the worst in decades, has exposed divisions in the nation, one of the region's wealthiest but also one of its most unequal, and intensified calls for economic reforms.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50113090

[Judi Lynn]

1. Chile army issues new curfew in capital as protests continue

1 HOUR AGO

Chile president declares state of emergency after violent protests

The general in charge of security in Santiago announced the curfew would begin at 2200GMT on Sunday and end at 0900GMT on Monday.


Five people died Sunday after a garment factory was set ablaze by looters in the suburbs of Santiago, firefighters said, bringing the death toll in a wave of unrest to seven.

"Unfortunately, five bodies have been found inside the factory" in Renca, Santiago Fire Brigade Commander Diego Velasquez told local media.

Two people died when looters torched a supermarket in Santiago in the early hours of Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Chilean military declared another night-time curfew in the capital as the government struggled to contain violent protests, looting and arson in the streets over recent fare hikes in public transportation.

More:
https://www.trtworld.com/americas/chile-army-issues-new-curfew-in-capital-as-protests-continue-30707