The protests started earlier in the week with high school students protesting against the second fare increase of the year by jumping subway turnstiles. However, on Friday night, demonstrators escalated by setting fire to multiple subway stations, banks, buses, and the headquarters of the largest electricity provider in the country, Enel. Looters also targeted supermarkets, stores, and pharmacies. One student was reportedly killed by the police and another was injured by rubber bullets during the protests, which caused chaos in one of Latin America's most prosperous cities. President Piñera declared a state of emergency, restricting citizens' movement and giving the army control over internal security to restore order after the violent demonstrations. The fare increase announcement on October 6th sparked anger, especially as the cost of living continues to rise for poor and middle-class families while wages remain stagnant. "Isabel Mora, an 82-year-old retiree receiving a monthly pension of around $62, expressed frustration at the unfairness of the situation, noting the rising costs of transportation, electricity, gas, and other expenses alongside low salaries. President Piñera had pledged to address the issue of increasing transportation fares, which now stand at about $1.20 for rush hour rides. The protests escalated on Friday, with hundreds of people entering subway stations without paying, leading to clashes with special police units who used tear gas, violence, and arrests to control the situation." The subway system halted service on multiple lines and ultimately had to close down the entire network by nighttime, leaving hundreds if not thousands of people stranded on the streets. Many were unable to catch crowded buses and had to walk for hours to reach their homes. Government officials labeled the protestors as "organized vandals" and "criminals" and declared they would enforce a law allowing for harsher penalties. On Friday night, residents in the capital city protested by banging pots and pans. People were seen stealing from supermarkets and building barriers, while it seemed that the police had withdrawn to their stations. These protests took place as Chile gets ready to hold two important global meetings: an APEC summit in November and the UN Climate Change Conference in December. © 2019 New York Times News Service.