Thread by @ragmau

State of Emergency in Chile: (another) thread for non spanish speaking curious.

(1) At the beginning of this week, groups of students started jumping the turnstiles gates throughout the Santiago subway system in response to a $30 increase (0.042 dollars) in the rush hour fare.

(2) if you are shocked by this protest for such a "small" increase, be aware that the ticket ended up in $850 (1.17 dollars) in a Country were the minimum wage is only $426 dollars/month, which leads me to the next topic:

(3) Chile is a member of the @OECD. Among these countries, it has one of the lowest minimum wages (30% of the population lives with this). According to @lafundacionsol, 50% of Chileans live with less than 534 dollars/month, while the richest 10% earns more than 1407 dollars/month

In other words, Chile is one of the most unequal OECD Countries.

(4) Let's add the following. Chile's retirement system leaves people of 65+ with 30% of their historic income (my mom, a teacher for 40 years is my example) - or less. This despite promises of dictatorship's authorities in the 80's stating that Chileans will retire with 100%

(5) Wanna hear more? The health system is broken. One of the major hospitals in the City of @valparaiso has no sufficient budget to work. 9700 people died waiting for attention in the first semester of 2019.

(6) More? I can write a review! Chile is an agricultural potency, however is affected by a horrible drought since a few years. Although nature is partially responsible, the water in Chile is private (yes, PRIVATE) and water owners reserve for themselves the amount they want,

leaving agricultural towns (I repeat, Chile is an extractive economy) with no resources. By the way, amid the protests, the water came back to one of our major rivers, considered "dry" two weeks ago. A miracle.

(7) OK. Let's save the Country with Education? Chile's education system is the most expensive in Latin America, even in Public Universities. Unlike the US, majors last 5-7 years. A family has to pay FROM 9700 dollars/years for Med Schools or 7900 for Engineering (remember wages)

(8) Besides, education system is highly segregated. I grew up in a working class family and my only option was a (lovely, I'm not kidding) Public school. The elites sent their kids to unaffordable private schools, where they never connect with "the rest of the people's" lifes

It is well known that Public schools' quality are often worse compared with the Private system. A system that 50% of the population just can not afford.

(9) Oh. Elites. Nice topic. Chile is a democracy but technically an oligarchy. In 2014-2015 a tax evasion scandal shaked the Country. CEOs and politicians were prosecuted. This was a shocking surprise in a Country considered one of the less corrupt in Latin America

Govt officials resigned, President Bachelet's popularity was deeply affected, but many things ended up like you may imagine: two people considered big tax evaders were convicted with a fine and domiciliary arrest (Do you remember I started talking about subway fare evasions?)

In the minds of the people, if you are part of the governing elite, you don't rlly get what happens. Health, education, or retirement systems are not an issue, hence everything "may be fine".

Disconnected, Government and Media are REALLY surprised with this week's demonstrations

(10) When the student protests began because of the subway fare hike, the Ministry of Economy suggested thay people should wake up at 5-6 am to catch the cheaper trains. This, in an unreliable transportation system where commute may take up to two hours.

(11) Some clashes between SWAT teams and students ended up in riots. There was destruction in several train stations and the Government started applying a strong State Security law against protesters. By Friday night, subway stations were burning and Santiago was Gotham City

(12) The Chilean people are waiting for a clear answer from Piñera's government. In the meantime, from Saturday, the Army controls the Country and a curfew was established in 5 major cities.

Interestingly, these cities don't have a subway system. What started as a fare hike protest, ended up inspiring thousands fed up with their current condition. In the meantime, Govt. keeps focusing "in the violent acts" and relying on the armed forces to reestablish control.

(13) By the way... Did I mention thay the Army and Police (2 institutions) were accused of a fraud of millions of dollars ? Thousands of effectives are in trials and every month new frauds are discovered.

Anyway... Now that Government, Media and major political partirs REALIZED that things in Chile were not a Paradise, we the people hope that important announces will be made in order to revise our Social Pact and restore the Peace in our Country.

(14) As a Country affected by one major earthquake every 20 years, we will rise again. May our leaders be wise.

#ChileProtests #chileprotest #Chilecrisis #Chile