Incident Details
On May 23, 2020, Chilean soldiers stepped in to disperse protests and shot rubber bullets into crowds of protesters regarding the COVID-19 lockdown which raised food prices. Santiago’s total lockdown began May 16 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, fueling the anti-government protesters and resulting in violent riots between protesters and law enforcement.
Traveler Safety
SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid future protests, which are highly likely to turn violent, and police efforts pose incidental risks to bystanders. Travelers should maintain enhanced situational awareness during transit and plan travel routes in advance. Monitor the incident via local news and social media. Contact your program leaders if you have questions.
