Violence escalates in Chile’s Aysén region

Battles rage during the night with Chilean police accused of excessive use of force.

Scores of Aysén citizens are taking to the streets to protest against the violent use of pellets and tear gas by Chilean police against demonstrators.

Puerto Aysén Mayor Marisol Martinez told La Tercera on Thursday morning the police were using excessive force injuring many citizens of the region.

“We wish the government would back the citizens and not use state funds to send Special Forces. We feel violated by the police and many people are taking to the streets today to protest against the force used,” Martinez said.

The official said they witnessed many people with injuries to the face, arms, and body. She also called on the ministers that were invited to resolve the issues in Aysén with the leaders of the Social Movement for the Aysén Region to see the visit as a priority.

The citizens are petitioning the government to improve education, cost of living, and fuel prices, among many other needs in the region.

During a meeting with the minsters of Health and Transport on Monday, the local leaders requested the ministers of Finance, Energy, Education, and Public Works all visit the region to resolve issues.
So far there has been no visit from these ministers.

“People are getting tired and desperate and this creates more tension. When responses take a long time to come, along with ambiguous messages it does not help with the peace protest,” Martinez said.

Meanwhile, Elias Muñoz, the chief of the Coyhaique Press and Santa Maria Radio, told El Mostrador the streets of Coyhaique had fire barricades along with 30 road blocks and feared a major outbreak of violence soon.

“I was born and raised here and have never seen anything like it. In some roads there are three or four barricades in the same block, and many women and youths are responsible for keeping the fire going,” Muñoz said. “There is also a shortage of staple foods and fuel.  I don’t think it will end very well because the people are losing patience.”

Leaders of the region told El Mostrador that one of the most violent episodes happened on Monday between police and a group of bus drivers in El Claro, near Six Lakes.

According to El Mostrador, police escorting two fuel trucks attacked protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets for 25 minutes.

After the protesters dispersed, the trucks continued into the city to find a group of protesters at a gas station, who were aware of what happened by the press.  Further clashes took place and seven people were injured.

The bus drivers now maintain two road blocks in Coyhaique.

Luis Oyazun, a spokesman for the bus drivers said they would stay there day and night.

“Our families are supporting us, and people in transit are bringing us food,” Oyazun said.

The Ibáñez Bridge in Puerto Aysén was a battle zone from late Tuesday night, according to El Mercurio.

About 800 protesters attacked police with stones and Molotov cocktails. Fighting continuing until 10:30 the next morning.

The regional radio reported serious fighting there as well and said police had entered houses firing rubber bullets and tear gas, according to El Mostrador.

The situation was so grave that several regional parliamentarians we called to help, but they were asleep.

Late Tuesday night members of the Department of Human Rights (DDHH), a government agency were distributed strategically in the city, at hospitals, and at road blocks to observe any abuse of human rights, according to El Mostrador.

At 1 a.m. on Wednesday, DDHH members arrived at Puerto Aysén to find serious clashes involving Molotov cocktails and tear gas. This incident continued until dawn.

During this time several protesters were injured, including children of two leaders of the movement, Misael Ruiz and Ivãn Fuentes.

Meanwhile, in Puerto Chacabuco, demonstrations were rife with police shooting indiscriminately and tear gases lingering from the lack of wind, El Mostrador reported.

Councilor of Aysén and resident Guido Jaramillo said, “The police were crazy shooting to the right and left.  The gases they are using are really strong.”

On Thursday, Amnesty International called on Chilean authorities to ensure police do not use excessive force with protesters. They received hospital reports of asphyxia and rubber bullet wound injuries, including one person who lost an eye.

The organization added it is concerned about reports of human rights abuses from Chilean police with detainees, as well as reports of violence toward police.

Ana Piquer, the executive director of Amnesty International, said the use of force against protesters is an extreme measure that a government can take and should be a last resort to keep public order.

“The police have means to address tensions peacefully and any complaints about mistreatment should be addressed straight away,” Piquer said.

The DDHH plans to make a report to the National Human Rights Institute.

By Jade Hobman, The Santiago Times; Feb. 23. Original 

period by KRUNK Interactive