Chile: Hundreds march in Santiago to protest fishing regulations Jan. 18

Event

Protests against fishing regulations continue in Chile as of Friday, January 18, with hundreds of people participating in a march on the presidential palace in Santiago. Protests have also occurred in Concepción, Talcahuano, and Lebu (Biobío region) in recent days, resulting in roadblocks, burning tires, and clashes with security forces involving the use of rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons. Protests are expected to continue, particularly in Biobío region, as well as in other cities, in the coming days and weeks. Transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence are likely; clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Context

Chile's congress recently passed a law that forbids the use of trawlers for the harvest of cuttlefish. Chile is the sixth-largest exporter of fresh fish and the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

Advice

Individuals in Chile are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate protests, transportation disruptions, and a heightened security presence, and avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.