| − | The 2019 Chilean State of Emergency are unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout Chile in response to a raise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, increased cost of living, and prevalent inequality in the country. The protests began in Chile's capital, Santiago, as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which led to the destruction of several subway stations in the Santiago and open confrontations with the Chilean Police and Army. President Sebastián declared a state of emergency on September 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have at times turned violent, with clashes between police and rioters. Police have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm have been set on fire. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after local radio stations called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and hand guns.<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/los-chalecos-amarillos-chile-vecinos-patrullan-sus-nid2299816 Los "chalecos amarillos" de Chile: vecinos que patrullan sus barrios por temor a saqueos]</ref> | + | The 2019 Chilean State of Emergency are unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout Chile in response to a raise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, inequality, falling wages and the rising cost of education and healthcare. The protests began in Chile's capital, Santiago, as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which led to the destruction of several subway stations in the Santiago and open confrontations with the Chilean Police and Army. President Sebastián declared a state of emergency on September 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have at times turned violent, with clashes between police and rioters. Police have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm have been set on fire. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after local radio stations called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and hand guns.<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/los-chalecos-amarillos-chile-vecinos-patrullan-sus-nid2299816 Los "chalecos amarillos" de Chile: vecinos que patrullan sus barrios por temor a saqueos]</ref> |
| | On the seventh day, 2,000 soldiers of the 21st 'Miller' and 31st 'Aldea' Marine Infantry Battalions and 1,500 Marines of the 41st 'Hurtado' Combat Support and 51st 'Olave' Logistic Support Battalions arrived to reinforce the police forces already in the coastal cities of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar and Talcahuano.<ref>[https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2019/10/25/noticia-infanteria-marina-chile-despliega-estado-emergencia.html La Infantería de Marina de Chile despliega sus Kia ante el Estado de Emergencia]</ref>It was the first significant amphibious operation by marine troops since the occupation of Viña del Mar during the 1973 military coup. | | On the seventh day, 2,000 soldiers of the 21st 'Miller' and 31st 'Aldea' Marine Infantry Battalions and 1,500 Marines of the 41st 'Hurtado' Combat Support and 51st 'Olave' Logistic Support Battalions arrived to reinforce the police forces already in the coastal cities of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar and Talcahuano.<ref>[https://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2019/10/25/noticia-infanteria-marina-chile-despliega-estado-emergencia.html La Infantería de Marina de Chile despliega sus Kia ante el Estado de Emergencia]</ref>It was the first significant amphibious operation by marine troops since the occupation of Viña del Mar during the 1973 military coup. |