"We are at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use force without borders," said the president of Chile in a televised speech from a military headquarters late Sunday night, local time.
He also said that the protesters are probably organized like a criminal organization.
Five people were killed in a fire in a clothing factory in a suburb of Santiago, Chile, on Sunday. Looters had penetrated the factory and set fire to it.
This means that the death toll in the city's unrest is now at least seven. Two lives were required in connection with the lighting of a grocery store during the night towards Saturday.
The protests against the government's economic policy began with student demonstrations recently, the triggering factor being increased public transport prices. Construction fires, stopped street traffic and rattles have followed. Police have on numerous occasions used tear gas to disperse protesters.
This weekend, a state of emergency was announced in Santiago and the country's military was given responsibility for keeping the streets in order. The state of emergency has now been extended to several cities. In addition, there is a nightly curfew in the capital.