Four years ago, Chile experienced significant protests sparked by a public transport fare increase.
Soon, they expanded to include demands for better healthcare, education, housing, and pensions. However, little has changed since then.
In 2019, the government increased subway fares in Santiago from 800 to 830 pesos. This led to widespread fare evasions and protests.
A popular slogan, “It’s not 30 pesos, it’s 30 years,” summed up the deeper issues of inequality.
Professor Hassan Akram says the protests showed “deep discontent” with the government. More importantly, they highlighted public frustration with ongoing systemic issues.
Thousands of people took to the streets, calling for better education and healthcare. Yet, no significant reforms have taken place.
Political expert Francisca Quiroga blames the stagnant political system. According to her, elite groups in Chile resist change.
Quiroga also says public demands during the protests showed ongoing social discontent. President Gabriel Boric promised to address some of these issues.
However, he moderated his stance after taking office in March 2022. Quiroga believes this shift happens because the current administration faces a resistant parliament.
Chile has tried to amend its constitution twice in the past four years. The first attempt failed in a 2022 referendum. The second, according to polls, seems likely to fail as well.
Background
Historically, Chile has grappled with inequality and social unrest.
The dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet from 1973 to 1990 laid the groundwork for many of the country’s current problems.
During those years, neoliberal policies took root, exacerbating social divides. The return to democracy in 1990 brought hope but didn’t fundamentally change the system.
For two decades, center-left coalitions led the country but couldn’t eliminate deeply rooted issues.
Fast forward to recent years, public dissatisfaction has grown. The 2019 protests marked a boiling point, capturing global attention.
Despite these social movements and political promises, the quest for a more equitable Chile remains unfulfilled.
More: Chile news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief