Social Explosion in Chile is Not for “30 pesos, But for 30 Years”
An unprecedented social outbreak has engulfed all of Chile, demanding a real solution to the nation’s longstanding economic and social problems
Author: Elson Concepción Pérez | internet@granma.cu
October 29, 2019 14:10:39
An unprecedented social outbreak has engulfed all of Chile. The media has reported at least 42 deaths, 121 missing, more than 12 women raped, as a result of police repression of protesters.
The massive demonstrations are demanding a real solution to the nation’s economic and social situation.
"What President Piñera has done so far is to polarize and create tension in the country ..." warned Barbara Figueroa, president of the Unitary Workers Federation (CUT), the most powerful union in Chile, according to the France24 website.
Meanwhile, a protester shouted amidst a crowd: "This is now the entire country’s demand, we are tired."
The flip side of the coin was the mobilization of more than 20,000 military troops and carabineros to patrol the streets and attack protesters.
Large demonstrations took place in the Valparaíso region, and important highways were blocked in Araucanía.
The Chilean Ministry of Defense confirmed that reservists were called up to deal with the social crisis.
The people, responding to the meager crumbs promised by President Piñera, have raised the slogan, "This is not for 30 pesos, but for 30 years," alluding to the more than three decades of neoliberal governments that have led Chile to become one of the world’s most unequal nations, with a few amassing great wealth, while a middle-income and poor population increasingly sinks into despair. That is the basis of the social outbreak.
IN CONTEXT
Chile is one of the countries with the highest GDP per capita in Latin America, but 30% of its income ends up in the hands of 1% of its population, which places it among the 15 most unequal countries in the world.
It is the only nation in the world where access to water, recognized by the UN as a human right, is in private hands.
The indebtedness of citizens, struggling to meet basic expenses, has reached 48% of the GDP, including thousands of university students who must resort to bank loans to pay their tuition.
Author: Elson Concepción Pérez | internet@granma.cu
October 29, 2019 14:10:39
An unprecedented social outbreak has engulfed all of Chile. The media has reported at least 42 deaths, 121 missing, more than 12 women raped, as a result of police repression of protesters.
The massive demonstrations are demanding a real solution to the nation’s economic and social situation.
"What President Piñera has done so far is to polarize and create tension in the country ..." warned Barbara Figueroa, president of the Unitary Workers Federation (CUT), the most powerful union in Chile, according to the France24 website.
Meanwhile, a protester shouted amidst a crowd: "This is now the entire country’s demand, we are tired."
The flip side of the coin was the mobilization of more than 20,000 military troops and carabineros to patrol the streets and attack protesters.
Large demonstrations took place in the Valparaíso region, and important highways were blocked in Araucanía.
The Chilean Ministry of Defense confirmed that reservists were called up to deal with the social crisis.
The people, responding to the meager crumbs promised by President Piñera, have raised the slogan, "This is not for 30 pesos, but for 30 years," alluding to the more than three decades of neoliberal governments that have led Chile to become one of the world’s most unequal nations, with a few amassing great wealth, while a middle-income and poor population increasingly sinks into despair. That is the basis of the social outbreak.
IN CONTEXT
Chile is one of the countries with the highest GDP per capita in Latin America, but 30% of its income ends up in the hands of 1% of its population, which places it among the 15 most unequal countries in the world.
It is the only nation in the world where access to water, recognized by the UN as a human right, is in private hands.
The indebtedness of citizens, struggling to meet basic expenses, has reached 48% of the GDP, including thousands of university students who must resort to bank loans to pay their tuition.
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