February 25, 2020

Anna Murray 

On February 23rd, a flock of masked demonstrators fired the cars in front of the O’Higgins hotel, where lots of the performers lived. The Quinta Vergara Park, where the Viña del Mar music festival was held, was faced with the conflicts, as well. Besides, several stores were battered. According to the officials, there were at least 15 people being detained. 

The demonstration started in October in 2019, the reason for which was due to the rising price of the metro fare. Later on, the walkout turned into condemning the increase in the cost of living, the lack of education financing, and the inequality in Chile. The severe protest even dropped Chile out of holding the conference of COP25 and the APEC forum. 

On February 24th, the Chile President, Sebastian Pinera, called for the Chileans to assist the country to “live in peace.” The president planned the referendum in April for revising the constitution, hoping to reform the retirement account and income. Nonetheless, in accordance with the analysts in Eurasia Group, the dissatisfaction for the country of the Chileans still remained. 

Photo:Webshot.