At least 50 people were injured in violent clashes in the Chilean capital, Santiago, yesterday, (Wednesday August 29th), as demonstrators demanded more state benefits.
Though demonstrations are banned at the presidential palace, thousands of protesters advanced, causing police to use batons, tear gas and water cannons to quell the unrest.
With a massive 47 per cent of the country's wealth held by just ten per cent of the Chilean population - according to the United Nations Development Programme - Chilean citizens have reacted angrily to the economic policies of President Michelle Bachelet.
Senator Alejandro Navarro, one of the injured demonstrators, told the press that Mr Bachelet's government had "made a mistake" by attempting to ban the protest, which was organized by the country's top union leader, Arturo Martinez.
Some 372 people were arrested, but Mr Bachelet reacted relatively calmly to the disruption, telling reporters that the country "doesn't need violence or unrest".
He added: "In a democracy and under my government, workers will always be allowed to demonstrate peacefully for their rights and demands."
This was the first significant protest since he took office.
