Over 1 Million Chileans Take to the Streets to Demand Political Reforms, Change to Country’s Neoliberal Economic System
“Chile is not the same as it was yesterday.”
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera on Saturday said he would reshuffle his cabinet after over 1 million Chileans poured into city streets across the country Friday to demand structural reforms to the country’s government and economic system.
The move by Piñera came as the protest movement mobilized people in the captial Santiago and beyond.
“We’re asking for justice, honesty, ethical government,” protester Francisco Anguitar told AFP Friday.
Piñera made the announcement late Saturday morning.
BREAKING: Chile’s President
Piñera has asked his ministers to resign, in the most dramatic move since protests began a week ago. The military also announced an end to the curfew. Yesterday’s protest, by more than 1 million Chileans, is forcing change.
The timeline and plan for the replacement of ministers remains unclear. On Saturday, Reuters reported that a document obtained by the news agency “suggested Piñera was considering replacing the heads of at least nine ministries, including the ministries of interior, defense, economy, transportation and environment.”
Chilean senator Felipe Kast on Twitter credited the Friday protests with prompting Piñera’s decision.
“A peaceful day that will leave its mark on our history,” said Kast. “Chile is not the same as it was yesterday.”
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