Violence Reaches Unprecedented Levels in Chile

Violence has reached unprecedented levels in Chile, with calls for strikes after 44 days of the protests and the social crisis coordinated by some 200 trade union organizations, involving citizens, students and health workers.

On Friday, Security forces in Chile detained hundreds of protesters while the protesters used violence to confront them.

Security forces used tear gas to disperse the protesters, while the protesters 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.

Earlier, police in Chile detained a large number of the demonstrators. 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.

The clashes have killed many people in the worst violence since Chile’s return to democracy after the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990