This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On a day when many were celebrating the Christian festival of All Saints Day, thousands of protesters gathered in central Santiago to demand justice and accountability from the Chilean government.
The protest, which began two weeks ago over a rise in transport tickets and austerity measures, has since escalated into widespread unrest, vandalism, and clashes between demonstrators and police.
According to statistics provided by the national human rights institute (INDH), at least 20 people have been killed and over 1,300 injured during the protests.
Protesters, including students and members of the Mapuche indigenous community, waved Chilean and indigenous flags in the central Plaza Italia square, which has been the epicenter of the protest movement.
"We're not going to back down until the government answers us about the deaths. We feel betrayed by this government," said Marco, a 22-year-old student, in an interview with AFP.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, who has announced a series of social measures and a cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to appease the demonstrators.
However, the government's efforts have been met with resistance, and the unrest continues to escalate. The government has even pulled out of hosting the APEC economic summit in November and the December COP climate conference, citing security concerns.
