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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>

The 2019 Chilean State of Emergency are unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout [[Chile]] in response to a rise 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 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>

==Fare evasion==

==Fare evasion==

<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/10/21/world/americas/21reuters-chile-protests-scenes.html  Chile's Deadly Weekend of Fire as Youth Anger Ignites]</ref>The Metro subway damage/destruction sustained is estimated to be at least $US 200 million.

<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/10/21/world/americas/21reuters-chile-protests-scenes.html  Chile's Deadly Weekend of Fire as Youth Anger Ignites]</ref>The Metro subway damage/destruction sustained is estimated to be at least $US 200 million.

On Monday October 20th, many supermarkets, shopping malls and cinemas remained closed as the protests continued. Curfews were imposed for that night in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, and the regions of Valparaíso, Biobío (including the regional capital, Concepción), and Coquimbo; as the curfew began in Santiago, many protesters remained on the street. Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick told reporters Monday that 110 supermarkets were looted and 13 buildings were set ablaze, including the head office of electricity firm 'Enel Chile'.

On Monday, October 20th, many supermarkets, shopping malls, and cinemas remained closed as the protests continued. Curfews were imposed for that night in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, and the regions of Valparaíso, Biobío (including the regional capital, Concepción), and Coquimbo; as the curfew began in Santiago, many protesters remained on the street. Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick told reporters Monday that 110 supermarkets were looted and 13 buildings were set ablaze, including the head office of electricity firm 'Enel Chile'.

As rioting spread to other parts of the country, states of emergency were declared in the Valparaíso Region and Concepción Province. In an address to the nation in the evening, President Piñera announced the cancellation of the fare increase and the establishment of a dialogue panel, with representatives from across society, to discuss the underlying causes behind the unrest. Piñera also warned the country was ''"at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use violence without any limits"''.

As rioting spread to other parts of the country, states of emergency were declared in the Valparaíso Region and Concepción Province. In an address to the nation in the evening, President Piñera announced the cancellation of the fare increase and the establishment of a dialogue panel, with representatives from across society, to discuss the underlying causes behind the unrest. Piñera also warned the country was ''"at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use violence without any limits"''.

Local authorities also announced the closure of schools on October 21st amd 22nd in most suburbs of Santiago and across the province of Concepción. Television coverage of four MOWAG Piraña armoured cars from the 1st 'Buin' Regiment firing tear gas canisters repeatedly at roving looters in the affluent suburb of Las Condes was widely seen and controversial.

Local authorities also announced the closure of schools on October 21st and 22nd in most suburbs of Santiago and across the province of Concepción. Television coverage of four MOWAG Piraña armored cars from the 1st 'Buin' Regiment firing tear gas canisters repeatedly at roving looters in the affluent suburb of Las Condes was widely seen and controversial.

On September 23, violent protestors from Plaza de Italia under the cover of darkness set off to the Principado de Asturias in the nearby suburb of Providencia and ransacked and destroyed great part of the hotel, after warning staff and foreign tourists to vacate the premises or perish in the resulting flames.<ref>[https://www.elpopular.pe/mundo/251690-chile-manifestantes-saquearon-destruyeron-conocido-hotel-video Manifestantes saquearon y destruyeron conocido hotel en Chile]</ref>

On September 23, violent protestors from Plaza de Italia under the cover of darkness set off to the Principado de Asturias in the nearby suburb of Providencia and ransacked and destroyed great part of the hotel, after warning staff and foreign tourists to vacate the premises or perish in the resulting flames.<ref>[https://www.elpopular.pe/mundo/251690-chile-manifestantes-saquearon-destruyeron-conocido-hotel-video Manifestantes saquearon y destruyeron conocido hotel en Chile]</ref>

Santiago City Mayors responded in various ways, including forming vigilante organizations such as the ''Chalecos Amarillos'' (Yellow Vests) and increasing efforts to build collaborative links with the working class suburbs through initiatives like the Las Condes-La Pintana Association.<ref>[https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/municipalidad-las-condes-dona-mil-millones-pesos-al-municipio-la-pintana/876620/ Municipalidad de Las Condes dona mil millones pesos al municipio de La Pintana]</ref>

Santiago City Mayors responded in various ways, including forming vigilante organizations such as the ''Chalecos Amarillos'' (Yellow Vests) and increasing efforts to build collaborative links with the working class suburbs through initiatives like the Las Condes-La Pintana Association.<ref>[https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/municipalidad-las-condes-dona-mil-millones-pesos-al-municipio-la-pintana/876620/ Municipalidad de Las Condes dona mil millones pesos al municipio de La Pintana]</ref>

On September 22nd, President Sebastián Piñera, a billionaire conservative who has been criticized for his response to the protests, promised to increase the basic pension by 20% and the minimum wage from $US 413 to $US 482. He also pledged tax rises on high income earners, a law that would see the state cover the costs of expensive medical treatment and the cancellation of a planned electricity rate hike.

On September 22nd, President Sebastián Piñera, a billionaire conservative who has been criticized for his response to the protests, promised to increase the basic pension by 20% and the minimum wage from $US 413 to $US 482. He also pledged tax rises on high-income earners, a law that would see the state cover the costs of expensive medical treatment and the cancellation of a planned electricity rate hike.

== Notes ==

== Notes ==