Carabineros, Chile's national police, reported unrest in downtown Santiago on Sunday, October 18, during an unauthorized demonstration, according to CNN Chile. The march was called to mark the seventh anniversary of the social uprising (estallido social), and the incidents were concentrated mainly on the Alameda.
The Carabineros Central Prefecture posted on X that a group of hooded individuals threw incendiary devices, of the Molotov type, at Public Order Control officers at the corner of Portugal and Alameda. The institution said the attack endangered passersby in the area and advised them to use alternative routes.
The incidents on the street also affected transportation. Metro de Santiago, the capital's subway system, announced the closure of Santa Lucía and Universidad Católica stations, both on Line 1.
At Baquedano station, the Line 1 and Line 5 entrances remain closed. Universidad de Chile station also closed its entrance, although its transfers are still operating, according to the outlet.
On October 18, 2019, a wave of mass protests began across the country. The demonstrations started with fare evasion in the Metro over a fare increase and spread to broader social demands. Since then, each anniversary has brought calls to gather in the center of the capital, with the Plaza Baquedano area and the Alameda as focal points.
As of this writing, Carabineros had not released an official number of arrests, and there were no reports of injuries.
