Sebastián Piñera decrees the state of emergency in Santiago de Chile and leads the military in the street

The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, confirmed on Saturday at dawn that the government had decreed the state of emergency in Santiago, after the strong protests in the capital against the rise in the price of the ticket subway.

The incidents began in the morning in different metro stations, but after the closure of the service, they found themselves in the street. The decision was made after protesters set fire to the Enel building, the electricity distribution company controlled by the same group of companies as in Argentina, Edesur.

"In the face of serious and repeated attacks and attacks on Santiago's train and subway stations, against public order and (…) I declared the state of emergency in the provinces of Santiago and Chacabucoand in the municipalities of Puente Alto and San Bernardo, in the metropolitan area, "said the president.

Piñera appeared before the press at the Palacio de La Moneda, headquarters of the Chilean executive, and explained that the goal of this measure is to restore the normality seriously reached this Friday in the streets of the Chilean capital by demonstrations, riots, barricades, fires and looting.

"The purpose of this state of emergency is very simple but very profound: ensure public order, the tranquility of the inhabitants of the city of Santiago, protects the public and private assets and, above all, guarantees the rights of all, "said the president.

Between the afternoon and the night, demonstrations intensified in Santiago in many parts of the metropolitan area, where shops and shops were looted. fire subway stations and some public transport buses.

"Our compatriots seriously complicated by the action of the real criminals who do not respect anything or anyone, who are ready to destroy an institution as necessary as the metro and also do not respect the rights or freedoms of their compatriots, "added the head of the Chilean executive.

In addition, he stressed that the Government I had already invoked the law on state security all day long on Friday for justice to persecute all those involved in the riots.

Piñera also confirmed the designation of the General Division Javier Iturriaga del Campo as head of national defense during the duration of the state of emergency.

What does the state of emergency mean?

Article 42 of the Chilean Constitution provides that, in the event of a state of emergency attributable to a serious change in public order, "the respective zones will remain under the immediate control of the chief of national defense appointed by the president"and will assume powers and duties.

The Chilean capital on Friday had a day of serious altercations because of the radicalization of citizens' demonstrations against the rising price of the metro ticket, which caused fires in various parts of the city, barricades, looting and serious destruction. street furniture. The suburban network.