(29 Oct 2019) Fresh protests erupted in Chile on Monday despite President Sebastian Pinera replacing eight key Cabinet ministers with more centrist figures and his attempts to assure the country that he has heard the calls for greater equality and improved social services.
Thousands of protesters again crowded into central Santiago, setting fires, including one at a subway station entrance.
Police officers responded by deploying a water cannon and firing tear gas at protesters.
The latest demonstration comes after President Pinera replaced the heads of the interior, treasury, economy, labour and four other ministries with generally younger officials seen as more centrist and accessible.
However, his government announced no policies on Monday aimed at addressing 10 days of protests over deficient social services and the high cost of living in one of Latin America's most prosperous and modern nations.
Protesters almost uniformly say they are frustrated with the so-called neoliberal model that has left Chile with region-topping prosperity along with a widely criticised private pension system, and two-tiered health and education systems that blend the public and private, with better results for the minority who can afford to pay.
The death toll from the 10 days of violence stands at 20, although it is unclear how many were killed by police and how many by looters.
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