Covid-19: manifestation of hunger in the suburbs of Santiago de Chile

Residents of poor Santiago suburbs protest lack of government support during containment, May 18, 2020. REUTERS / Ivan Alvarado

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While the Chilean president decreed the containment of the capital, the residents of El Bosque, a poor city on the outskirts of Santiago de Chile, clashed with police on Monday, May 18 to protest the food shortages linked to the containment.

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The demonstrators, often hooded on the head and mask on the face, launched slogans hostile to a right-wing government which according to them abandons them. "  It's not quarantine, it's help, food, that's what people are asking for right now,  " a resident, Veronica Abarca, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Social unrest

Barricades have been erected, and violence has risen to clashes with sticks and stone throws on the side of the demonstrators, and tear gas and water cannons on the side of the police, found an AFP journalist.

The police reported 21 arrests, spread over several hours in the afternoon. Other demonstrations took place in the evening in three other places around Santiago. A bus was set on fire, and barricades were also erected.

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The region of Santiago confined since Friday

The government of President Sebastian Piñera had decreed Friday the confinement of the entire population of the capital region , which concentrates 80% of the country's coronavirus cases.

But for months now, economic activity, including that of shops, construction and various services, has been slowed down in an attempt to curb the epidemic. “  I am a dog groomer, I have a small business. No state subsidy is given to me. I have four children, I am not being helped because I have a business,  ”Paola Garrido explained to AFP.

The mayor defends his population

The municipality of El Bosque issued a press release denouncing the deterioration of "  the quality of life of the inhabitants  " and the lack of consideration by the central government for the poorest. "  These are the inhabitants who, after more than a month without being able to work, without having seen any concrete measures on the part of the state, are protesting today,  " wrote the mayor, Sadi Melo.

Even before the health crisis, Chile, a country of 18 million inhabitants, had experienced long months of social unrest and violence, starting with the announcement in October of an increase in the price of the metro ticket to Santiago. On Sunday, the president announced the distribution of 2.5 million food parcels for his most disadvantaged citizens.

(with AFP)

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  • Chile
  • Coronavirus
  • Confinement
  • Food
  • Poverty

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