Fare increase protests 

The protests started on Monday October 7th, after a price increase on the subway fare led high school students to organize a civil disobedience protest by jumping over the subway turnstiles. The government responded with police brutality and use of an anti-terrorist law to prosecute the protestors.

State of emergency

On Friday October 18th, president Sebastián Piñera declared state of emergency and deployed the military to be in charge of security in the capital, after a series of riots. The military has imposed curfews on most of cities in the country.

Massive demonstrations

Since then, the movement has spread to the entire country, with massive peaceful demonstrations in all major cities. On October 25th, the capital Santiago saw the largest protest in the country’s history, with over one million people on the streets demanding political and economic reform to address inequality.

Government repression 

The government has consistently criminalized the protestors and allow security services to use maximum force. 20 people have died so far and hundreds have been injured. There are multiple reports by human rights organizations of illegal detentions, protestors wounded by gun shots, torture and sexual violence on detention centers.

Inequality in Chile

Although Chile has seen outstanding economic growth over the last three decades, taking most of its population out of extreme poverty, it remains one of the most unequal countries among developing nations (source: GINI index — World Bank).