Violence in demonstrations raises concerns over referendum vote in Chilie

Tens of thousands of Chileans assembled in the central square of Santiago to commemorate the one-year anniversary of mass demonstrations that left more than 30 people dead and thousands wounded, but the most nonviolent gathering degenerated into riots and looting after darkness fell.

People assembled early in the day in protests in cities throughout Chile that increased intensity and enthusiasm as the evening proceeded. Many promoted signs and rainbow-coloured handmade banners asking for a “yes” vote next Sunday in a referendum about whether to wrangle the country’s dictatorship-era Constitution, a key demand of the 2019 protests.

The marches, while mostly nonviolent early on, were deformed by rising occurrences of violence, looting of supermarkets and encounters with police beyond the capital later in the day. Firetruck sirens, burning barriers on roadways and fireworks on city-centre routes joined to a feeling of anarchy in certain areas.

Interior Minister Victor Perez addressed late in the evening, appreciating the early, nonviolent demonstrations while scrutinising the late-night violence. He announced on Chileans to resolve their disagreements by balloting in the forthcoming October 25 constitutional referendum.

“Those who take out these actions of violence do not want Chileans to resolve our queries through democratic means,” Perez stated to reporters, pledging to correct those who crossed the line on Sunday.

More than 15 metro stations were momentarily shut between the unrest. Police fired tear gas and water cannon in clashes.

In 2019, the protests started on October 18 and continued till December as people gathered across the country to seek changes to the country’s pension, healthcare and education systems.

The demonstrations turned into rioting and looting, which resulted in billions of dollars in destruction and the agitation observed the military take to the roads for the first time since the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet.