SANTIAGO, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean president Sebastian Pinera announced he would reverse public transport fare hikes which had caused widespread protests in the country.
Pinera said in a national address broadcast from the presidential palace in Santiago that he had listened “with humility” to “the voice of my compatriots” and to discontent over the cost of living in one of Latin America’s wealthiest and most unequal nations.
He also announced a working group to address their concerns.
He did not call for a curfew, as some had expected.
Earlier, Pinera had announced a state of emergency as clashes with police in the capital continued and spread to other Chilean cities.
Minister of National Defence, Javier Iturriaga said a total of 41 subway stations were damaged and at least 308 people were arrested, during the protests.
The general inspector of police, Mauricio Rodriguez, added that, 11 civilians and 156 officers were injured during the protests, and 49 police vehicles were damaged.
The protests started after the government raised Santiago’s Metro fare during peak time from 800 to 830 Chilean pesos (from 1.13 to 1.17 U.S. dollars) on Oct 6.
Demonstrators argue that the increase is unjustified and that it is not consistent with the country’s average wage. — NNN-AGENCIES