Government invokes the State Security Law and targets "organized groups" for excesses in the Metro.

The announcement was made by the Minister of the Interior, Andrés Chadwick, after a two-hour meeting led by President Sebastián Piñera, and where his counterpart Gloria Hutt and representatives of the company participated.

SANTIAGO.- "They are acts of vandalism that are carried out by organized groups." The Minister of the Interior, Andrés Chadwick, was blunt, who also confirmed that the Government will invoke the State Security Law against those who are responsible for the excesses that occurred in the midst of the days of "massive evasions."

The Secretary of State made the announcement after participating, together with the Minister of Transport, Gloria Hutt, and representatives of Metro, in the extraordinary meeting that President Sebastián Piñera led at La Moneda to evaluate the steps to follow after the hard week of the state. "On behalf of the Government of Chile we want to strongly condemn the acts of violence and vandalism that have occurred today, attacking the Santiago Metro. They are acts of vandalism that are organized and carried out by organized groups," he said at the headquarters. of government. The chief of staff said that the excesses that began on Monday and that the firm estimates "between $ 400 and $ 500 million" have caused "enormous, very serious damage to our public transport and the Santiago Metro." "Today, and at this time, hundreds of thousands of people suffer the gravity of these events, they suffer the gravity of this violence, and we are, or should be, looking for transport to get to their homes. They are the main victims." he added.

He added that "given the seriousness and seriousness of the events, we have, for a few days, but especially today and as of today, reinforced the presence and staff of the Chilean Police in order for them to comply with their constitutional duty to protect public order. and the safety of the people, and for this they have the full support of the Government, in compliance with the duty, according to the law. " "At the same time, we have invoked the State Security Law for all those who are responsible for causing damage to the assets of the Santiago Metro and preventing it from functioning normally," he said. In this sense, he added that "for this we have presented the complaints by the State Security Law, a law that establishes very severe penalties for those who are responsible for these events."

Publication Date: 2019-10-18

Source: Emol.com:Juan Peña