Fare increase suspended as unrest continues in Chile

Chile's President Sebastián Piñera has suspended a rise in metro fares that sparked protests across the country.

Soldiers and tanks were deployed in the capital, Santiago, after the government declared a state of emergency but demonstrations continued on Saturday. After some clashes, a night curfew was announced in restive areas.

The protests have broadened to reflect general discontent about the high cost of living in one of Latin America's most stable countries.

The unrest, the worst in decades, has exposed divisions in the nation, one of the region's wealthiest but also one of its most unequal, and intensified calls for economic reforms.

In parts of Santiago, hundreds of troops were deployed in the streets for the first time since 1990, when Chile returned to democracy after the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

In the second day of violent demonstrations, protesters erected barricades and set buses on fire, and police used tear gas and water cannon. Clashes erupted in the city centre with Mayor Felipe Alessandri describing the situation as chaotic.

More than 300 people have been arrested, and 156 police injured, as were 11 civilians, police said.

Source: Agencies

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