Chile: one dead and 94 police officers injured in a new day of protests

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SANTIAGO, CHILE - DECEMBER 27: Firefighters work on a fire in Cine Arte Alameda during protests against the president's government on December 27, 2019 in Santiago, Chile. In a recent interview given to CNN, President Sebastián Piñera accused international media and foreign governments of manipulating videos and information to harm his administration. Protests and social unrest arose on October 18 after a subway fare increase which developed in a social movement demanding improvements in basic services, fair prices and benefits including pensions, public health and education. (Photo by Marcelo Hernandez / Getty Images)

(CNN Spanish) - On Friday night, Plaza Italia in Santiago, Chile became a conflict zone between protesters and police in a new day of protests that have taken place in the country since October.

The balance of this last demonstration was of a deceased man and at least 94 injured police, according to police general Enrique Bassaletti.

“Yesterday we had a very violent day that intensified towards the night where you already know that there were fires, barricades, throws of some objects, shots in some cases and that unfortunately it also cost the life of a person who fell in a chamber of a Electric company and where it eventually electrocuted. She was helped by firefighters and unfortunately lost her life, ”said Bassaletti.

The authorities added that they are investigating what happened to determine what could have produced the fatal event.

Given the speculations that have been created around the circumstances in which this death occurred, Bassaletti said that investigations should be expected to know what happened.

“I insist, we have no evidence that it has been the product of our actions, but if it were, we must understand what the context in which this occurs, of course it is not in our objective or spirit to produce any kind of damage or violence towards people, but they are the elements that the State gives to the police to be able to do their functions, ”said Bassaletti, referring to tear gas.

Fires

The authorities also reported several acts of vandalism and fires that occurred in the context of these demonstrations.

The mayor of the Metropolitan Region, Felipe Guevara, said there was a fire that affected the Alameda art cinema theater and a State Bank headquarters that is in the same area.

"After a week where the situation of violence in Plaza Italia was improving last night (Friday) we had acts of vandalism of proportions, of people who destroy street furniture, attack police and of course we condemn it," said Guevara.

Authorities added that firefighters are carrying out the relevant investigation actions to publicize what caused the fires.

The authorities added that nearly 5,000 people participated in this protest.