Chile coup anniversary: Clashes erupt, water cannons fired at demonstrators

Clashes between the Chilean Gendarmerie and protesters on Sunday marked a march in remembrance of Chile's 1973 military coup that ended the rule of former Chilean president Salvador Allende 49 years ago.

Violent scuffles with demonstrators took place at the end of a generally peaceful march in Santiago to pay tribute to those who disappeared during the dictatorship. The gendarmerie used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators as they threw projectiles back.

Around 2,000 people attended the demonstration, local media reported. Gladys Abarca, one of them, said she marched for those who fought for a better world.

“I’m here for those downed, for the disappeared, for the politicians executed, for (ex-President Salvador) Allende, for the people that fought for a better world,” Abarca said.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric, in a speech from La Moneda presidential palace, said they should keep relentlessly searching for the 1,192 people who are still missing.

Salvador Allende, who was 65 when he died, is venerated by the left as a champion of the downtrodden.

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