In the end, the president argued: After the mass protests of the past days, the national state of emergency is no longer valid in Chile. Earlier, head of state Sebastián Piñera had signed the corresponding decrees. In some cities on Sunday there were major rallies with several thousand demonstrators.
Piñera has been facing protests for profound social reform since 19 October. The demonstrators are calling for his resignation and a fundamental change in the economic policies of the Chilean government, blaming them for the social misery of large sections of the population.
20 people killed, nearly 600 injured
On Friday, there were mass protests in the capital Santiago de Chile and several other cities with more than one million participants. The demonstrations were among the largest in the history of Chile. Inflamed, the protests for an increase in prices for subway tickets to the equivalent of about four cents.
Video on protests in Chile: Tens of thousands of people defy curfew
REUTERS
Piñera's government initially responded with curfews and imposed a state of emergency in the capital Santiago and other regions of Chile. On Saturday, the president finally responded to the protest movement and announced a complete reorganization of his cabinet to "cope with the new challenges."
Todos hemos escuchado and comprendido mensaje de los chilenos. He pedido a to dos los ministros poner sus cargos a disposión. Trabajamos en conformación de un nuevo equipo that represent the cambio y lidere los nuevos tiempos, + justos y solidarios, q los chilenos quate y merecen
- Sebastian Piñera (@sebastianpinera) October 26, 2019During the political turmoil, at least 20 people were killed and nearly 600 others injured. There were more than 3000 arrests. A UN Special Mission is expected to arrive in the country on Monday to investigate allegations of human rights abuses.
Human rights organizations have reported numerous attacks by security forces in recent days. According to the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH), 88 reports were filed with the organization, including five for murder and 17 for the use of torture and sexual violence.