POLITICS · CHILE
Key Facts
- The country Chile, where President José Antonio Kast sent his 2027 budget bill to Congress on 30 September. Total spending would rise 1.5 percent, health spending 4.7 percent (La Tercera, 1 Oct).
- What happened On 1 October the Confech student confederation held a national strike and march in Santiago. It followed a 48-hour primary health strike on 29 and 30 September.
- Who is involved Students, the CUT union federation and the teachers’ union marched together. The Confusam health union led the earlier walkout over clinic funding for 2027.
- What it means for you Expect marches and short closures in central Santiago on protest days. On 1 October Metro station Universidad Católica shut from about 11:30 to 12:32 (BioBioChile).
- Still open Detailed education lines in the budget bill, and whether Congress lifts the primary care offer of 604 pesos (about US$0.62) per patient a month.
Chile strikes reached the capital on Thursday 1 October, as students marched down the Alameda against possible 2027 education cuts. Workers’ unions and teachers joined them under the slogan “Not one peso less for education”.
The march came one day after primary health workers ended a 48-hour national strike over clinic funding. Both protests target the same document: the budget bill President José Antonio Kast presented on 30 September.
A permitted march that turned tense
The Confederation of Students of Chile (Confech), which groups university student unions, called the national strike. The CUT, Chile’s largest union federation, and the Colegio de Profesores teachers’ union joined it, La Tercera and El Mostrador reported.
The march set off around 10:30 from Plaza Baquedano with permission from the regional government delegation. Within metres, clashes broke out near the Catholic University, and Carabineros, the national police, used water cannon and tear gas.
BioBioChile reported at least 12 arrests, a preliminary figure not yet confirmed by police. Most marchers still moved west toward La Moneda, the presidential palace, and Metro reopened its closed station at 12:32.
What the budget actually says
Kast’s bill raises total public spending 1.5 percent, as covered in Chile 2027 Budget: Kast Raises Spending 1.5% and Vows to Check Every Peso. Health Minister May Chomali said her ministry’s budget grows 4.7 percent, more than three times the overall rise.
Student leaders speak of cuts, but outlets describe them as “possible” cuts. The detailed education lines had not been published in the sources reviewed for this report.
Why primary care workers walked out
Confusam, the confederation of municipal health workers, struck on 29 and 30 September. Its target is the “per capita” payment the state sends municipalities for each patient enrolled at their clinics.
Radio Universidad de Chile puts the current rate at 11,932 pesos (about US$12.34) a month; Confusam wants at least 16,000 (about US$16.55). The Finance Ministry offered a rise of 604 pesos (about US$0.62); the union wanted at least 1,000 pesos (about US$1.03).
Confusam also says municipalities are owed more than 37 billion pesos (about US$38 million) since December 2025. It welcomed Decree 29, which updates the 2026 rate to settle that arrears, but called it no structural fix.
Two counts of the same strike
Confusam president Gabriela Flores claimed 90 percent adherence nationwide. The Health Ministry counted 31.1 percent of staff on strike and 69.3 percent of facilities affected, according to figures reported by Puranoticia.
The ministry said all prioritised care was covered through emergency rotas. It noted that 80 percent of Chileans use primary care.
A joint working group on clinic funding was due to meet again on 30 September.
What Is Not Yet Known
It is not clear how education spending changes line by line. Nor is it clear whether these Chile strikes will continue.
Confusam says it stays “on alert” while Congress debates the bill. Lawmakers can shift money within the bill before it passes, so the 604-peso offer may not be final.
The final number of arrests on 1 October has not been published.
Sources: La Tercera (march, 1 Oct); La Tercera (strike call, 28 Sep); La Tercera (Confusam, 29 Sep); La Tercera (health budget, 1 Oct); BioBioChile (1 Oct); El Mostrador (1 Oct); Radio Universidad de Chile (30 Sep); Puranoticia (Health Ministry figures, 30 Sep). Exchange rate: 967 pesos per US dollar, 1 October 2026.
More: Chile news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
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