This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Chile's President Sebastian Pinera has announced a legislative package aimed at curbing violent demonstrations and looting that have plagued the country for weeks.
Published on November 8, 2019, the package includes measures to ban protesters from wearing hoods and burning barricades, and provides greater protection for police.
"We are convinced that this agenda represents and constitutes a significant and important contribution to improve our capacity to safeguard public order," Pinera said, rejecting calls to resign.
As part of the package, a special prosecution team will be established to try offenders, while intelligence gathering will be revamped in the longer term.
The announcement came after demonstrations on Wednesday spread into Santiago's wealthiest neighborhoods for the first time, marking a new escalation of the unrest.
Unrest that began on October 18 with protests against a rise in transport tickets and other austerity measures has descended into burning, looting and daily clashes between protesters and police.
Police said nearly 10,000 people had been arrested during the unrest, most being released shortly afterwards.
Pinera's government has attempted to placate protesters with measures such as a law guaranteeing a minimum monthly wage of $467, but protesters have continued demanding that the right-wing billionaire step down.
