Six ruling coalition parties signed a joint declaration condemning the violence of October 18, 2019, according to T13. Party leaders presented it at the former National Congress building in Santiago, two days before the seventh anniversary of the social unrest. The text accuses opposition groups of having "justified, endorsed and applauded the violence".
National Renewal, the Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Evópoli, the Republican Party, the Christian Party of Chile and Democrats signed. According to the outlet, the National Libertarian Party also received an invitation but refused to join.
The declaration came amid criticism of President José Antonio Kast's decision not to hold an official event on the date. The source does not specify who voiced that criticism.
The document argues that October 18 was "the beginning of a path of violence, economic deterioration and insecurity". It also alleges that some sought political gain from that violence.
The signatories, in their capacity as presidents of parties and movements, set out three conclusions. The first holds that no cause justifies violence. It cites the destruction of the Metro, looting, arson, public shaming, barricades and occupations as illegitimate forms of expression.
The second states that the rule of law is nonnegotiable. It calls for political, legal and social support for the Carabineros, the Investigative Police (PDI), the Prison Service and the Armed Forces.
The third is the harshest toward the opposition. It accuses political groups of having called for fare evasion, romanticized the "front line" and later pardoned convicted offenders and rewarded them with discretionary pensions. That criticism refers to decisions by the previous government, which the text does not name directly.
So far, T13's report includes no response from the opposition parties referred to. Nor is there a public response from the National Libertarian Party explaining its refusal.
The unrest began in October 2019 with protests over the Metro fare increase. It escalated into mass demonstrations and acts of violence across the country. Seven years later, the date continues to divide political blocs over how to commemorate it.
The leaders closed the text with what they called an "unrestricted" commitment to the rule of law, victims and the Carabineros. The anniversary falls this Saturday, October 18, with no official government event.
