Piñera: "We are at war with a powerful enemy" – News

The Chilean President, Sebastián Piñera, declared that the country was "at war with a powerful and implacable foe", that he blamed riots that left at least eight dead, more than 200 wounded and damage important materials.

"We are at war with a powerful and implacable enemy who respects nothing and who is willing to use unlimited violence, even when it means the loss of life," said the president.

Piñera said that "the only purpose" of this enemy is to "produce as much damage as possible" and added: "They are at war with all Chileans who want to live in democracy".

Before the journalists, the head of state had called his compatriots to "act unambiguously against this violence," reported the news agency EFE.

"We must take sides and call on all political forces to condemn this crime with total force; some have done so in a climate of ambiguity, they do not contribute to the peace of our compatriots, "he said.

The president said the authorities were making "a gigantic effort" to make today "a day as normal as possible", with the permission of one of the subway lines (metro) despite the damage to the infrastructure of this media.

"I ask all my compatriots to join us in this battle that we can not lose, to help each other to have a normal day tomorrow (for today) and finally to start winning this battle" urged.

"We will not allow criminals to feel that they own this country," Piñera warned.