New clashes in Chile as peso drops to historic low

SANTIAGO: Violent protests broke out in Chile’s capital Santiago as the country’s currency dropped to a historic low after weeks of mass street demonstrations that have left the South American country in crisis.

Clashes broke out between protesters demanding the resignation of President Sebastian Pinera and security forces close to the presidential palace on Tuesday.

Some 80,000 people took to the streets of Santiago as 100 organisations called a general strike.

The demonstrators are demanding greater social reform from Pinera, who has announced several measures in a bid to appease protesters, including a pledge to change the constitution that dates from the 1973-90 Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

Pinera on Tuesday announced the recall of retired police officers to help curb the unrest but did not re-issue a state of emergency, as he did at the outbreak of the crisis, which would allow the deployment of the military.

“The discontent is over many things,” said Karen Delgado, one of the protesters.

“Everything that the president has offered is insufficient. It’s a joke.”

Demonstrators congregated at the Plaza Italia square, the epicentre of previous protests that have now lasted almost four weeks.

They marched to seat of the workers’ union – the most powerful one in Chile – before moving on towards the presidential palace.

“We’re asking the president to listen and to stop delaying with these half-baked measures. He’s not listening to the people,” said Delgado.

Hooded protesters set a restaurant on fire in the area of the Plaza Italia and ransacked a hotel, torching its furniture.

Looting and clashes with police also took place elsewhere in Santiago, and a church in the historic neighbourhood of Lastarria was burned.

There were also clashes in the southern city of Concepcion, and a military compound was attacked in the town of San Antonio.

Several shops were looted in the coastal town of Vina del Mar and popular tourist destination Valparaiso in the centre of the country.

Public schools and universities in the capital were closed while many private schools also called off classes due to safety concerns.

Chile’s currency dropped more than three percent to a record low of 784 pesos to the dollar.

The peso dropped to 800 during the day, well beyond the previous record of 761, from Oct 10, 2002, before recovering slightly at close.

The currency has been hit hard by the protests. It was trading at 709 to the dollar on Oct 18 when the protests erupted into violence.

The Santiago stock exchange fell 1.57%, recovering slightly after having dropped 3.38% by midday.

Everything that the president has ordered is insufficient. It’s a joke. Karen Delgado