This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Published on November 8, 2019, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera announced a series of measures to tighten public order in the wake of three weeks of anti-government protests that have left 20 people dead.
The protests, which began on October 18 with demonstrations against a rise in transport tickets and other austerity measures, have descended into burning, looting, and daily clashes between protesters and police.
Pinera's announcement came after demonstrations on Wednesday spread into Santiago's wealthiest neighbourhoods for the first time.
According to police, nearly 10,000 people had been arrested during the unrest, most being released shortly afterwards.
Pinera's legislative package includes measures that would 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," said Pinera, who has rejected calls to resign.
