Chile’s protesters dismiss president’s olive branch

PROTESTERS in Chile are rejecting a package of reforms from Sebastián Piñera, the president, meant to appease days of violent unrest, criticising the plans as just a “plaster” to cover deep social and economic wounds.

Mr Piñera announced a raft of measures to try to quell protests over inequality that have left at least 18 dead, including a child, since Friday.

But demonstrations are expected to continue this week, as many Chileans say the package is too modest.

Others remain furious at the presence of the army and repression of protesters, a worrying reminder of the country’s military dictatorship which ended in 1990. Five people have been killed at the hands of armed forces, while more than 200 have been wounded, according to the National Human Rights Institute.

Camilo, a 30-year-old activist and former government ministry worker, said: “People will not stop protesting; he [the president] didn’t offer any explanation of the human rights abuses committed against protesters.

“The reforms are a plaster on a wound. He hasn’t made a connection the people – he hasn’t met with any representatives from civil society.”

Mr Piñera has proposed increasing the universal basic pension by 20 per cent, introducing a minimum wage of 350,000 pesos (£370) per month and reversing a recent 9.2 per cent rise in electricity bills.

In an address from the presidential palace in Santiago on Tuesday night, Mr Piñera apologised for his “lack of vision” in response to unrest that has exposed deep inequalities.

The protests began in the capital last week after a 30 peso (3p) rise in metro fares, but catalysed into demonstrations over inequality, particularly the privatisation of healthcare and education, alongside low pensions and wage stagnation.

Though unrest has been overshadowed by vandalism and looting, tens of thousands of Chileans have taken to the streets in peaceful movements seeking action on inequality.

Joel Hernández, vice-president of the Inter-american Commission on Human Rights, described the protests as a “pressure cooker which went off, reflecting the anger of people”.