Chilean Authorities Detain 20 People in Santiago

Clashes between police and demonstrators in Chile continue as the Chilean authorities have detained nearly 20 people following the attacks carried out this week against four police stations in the capital, Santiago.

About 50 masked men threw stones, Molotov, and iron balls at the police stations, Bio Bio Chile said, Radio Biobío Chile reported.

Last month, violence reached unprecedented levels, with calls for strikes after weeks of the protests and the social crisis coordinated by some 200 trade union organizations, involving citizens, students and health workers.

Security forces in Chile detained hundreds of protesters while the protesters used violence to confront them,  blocked roads, set fire and threw Molotov cocktails at armored vehicles.

Chile has been in a state of disarray for weeks due to the protests over economic conditions, while many Latin American countries are witnessing similar movements, one of which resulted in Bolivian President Evo Morales resigning.

Noteworthy, demonstrations in Chile started several weeks ago to protest the economic situation in the country after the announcement of a 3.75% increase in metro fees.

Districts in the Chilean capital of Santiago have been turned into battlefields due to the clashes between protesters and police in recent days.

The streets of the capital Santiago and the coastal city of Valparaiso have turned into a battleground. The police forces fired tear gas at the protesters while the protesters responded by throwing stones.