Actually, the next UN Climate Change Conference should take place in Santiago in December, but now the Chilean leader Sebastián Piñera has canceled the meeting at short notice. The reason: There have been unprecedented social protests in the country for days.
The protesters call for Piñera's 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.
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 country's history. They had been triggered by an increase in subway ticket prices.
During the political turmoil, at least 20 people were killed and nearly 600 others injured. There were more than 3000 arrests. A UN Special Mission should arrive in the country on Monday to investigate allegations of human rights abuses. In response to the protests, Piñera had dismissed several ministers.
The climate conference of the UN takes place every year. Whether it is canceled or relocated to another location is still unclear.
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