In Chile, what began as a protest late last week against a 3.5 percent subway-fare hike quickly evolved into a widespread and sometimes violent set of demonstrations in a dozen cities. Although Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera has now suspended the fare hike, the protests grew, fueled by wider complaints about the rising cost of living and social and economic inequality. Piñera has declared a state of emergency, including overnight curfews, as some demonstrations have devolved into looting and arson. Authorities say 15 people have lost their lives so far amid clashes with riot police and chaotic scenes in damaged and burning buildings.
Protests Erupt Across Chile
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A bus burns in downtown Santiago on October 18, 2019, following a mass protest. School and university students joined a mass fare-dodging protest in Santiago's metro following the highest fare rise in recent years. #
Claudio Reyes / AFP / Getty -
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A view of a burned-down supermarket in Valparaiso, photographed on October 20, 2019. Three people died in the supermarket fire as it was ransacked early Sunday, during protests. #
Javier Torres / AFP / Getty -
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A demonstrator reacts after being shot with a rubber bullet fired by a Chilean soldier during a protest against Chile's state economic model in Santiago on October 20, 2019. #
Ivan Alvarado / Reuters -
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