Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets Chile's capital as an apology and promises of reform from President Sebastián Piñera failed to quell turmoil that has led to looting, rioting and at least 18 deaths.
Many protesters are waving the national flag and shouting: "Chile has woken up!" Others are clashing with riot police and the country also faced a general strike on Wednesday.
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Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets Chile's capital as an apology and promises of reform from President Sebastián Piñera failed to quell turmoil that has led to looting, rioting and at least 18 deaths.
Piñera announced economic reforms Tuesday night, including an increase in state pension and a minimum wage hike.
Demonstrators confront a police armored vehicle during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A demonstrator holds a Chilean flag in front of a line of police in riot gear during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Protesters are sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Demonstrators carry a wounded man during clashes with police in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A demonstrator walks up to a police armored vehicle during clashes in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A police armored vehicle spews tear gas during clashed in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
The unrest was triggered last week by a relatively minor rise in subway fares. But it escalated with demonstrators seeking improvements in education, health care and wages in one of Latin America's wealthiest nations.
Protesters are sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Piñera announced economic reforms Tuesday night, including an increase in state pension and a minimum wage hike.
But the announcement failed to calm anger in the streets.
Demonstrators are sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Demonstrators confront a police armored vehicle during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A demonstrator holds a Chilean flag in front of a line of police in riot gear during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Protesters are sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
Demonstrators carry a wounded man during clashes with police in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A demonstrator walks up to a police armored vehicle during clashes in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)
A police armored vehicle spews tear gas during clashed in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Rioting, arson attacks and violent clashes wracked Chile as the government raised the death toll to 15 in an upheaval that has almost paralyzed the South American country long seen as the region's oasis of stability. (AP PhotoRodrigo Abd)