Headline of the Week

Uprising in Chile: Patagonia


Right now there is a serious uprising in Chile, Patagonia. The problem is in Puerto Aysen, the exact same region where I fished last season. The country is going on strike because of fuel, lack of it, and the prices. In Puerto Aysen they are trying to cut off inflow and outflow of goods via the one and only bridge in and out of the city. I know a guide working in Patagonia right now and some of the reports from him are of people blocking off towns by burning tires in the streets by the hundreds. Also breaking glass all through the streets. This is in an effort to keep people from coming in or going out. The initial reports I heard we of Chileans taking Americans hostage, well I guess technically this is true because they can't go anywhere (no fuel). It has nothing to do with the Americans there it's all a political power stance. Hopefully soon we will get some pictures from down in Patagonia to get a first hand account of what's going on. If you want to read a little bit more about it check this forum here, but there seems to be a lot of hearsay. Check back in for a potential inside scoop on the whole deal and hopefully some pictures.

http://matadornetwork.com/change/protesters-in-southern-chile-cut-off-a-bridge-to-spite-themselves/

Shown above is the Puente Presidente Ibanez, the 240 meter suspension bridge leading into and out of the city of Puerto Aysen. The citizens are attempting to shut this bridge down to isolate themselves from resources in or out. 

"The demands

There is a long list of demands from Martínez, based on what her party feels is lacking. They don’t like the way the national government is run. They don’t like their (virtually free) national healthcare. They want higher wages and a regional university. They want fuel subsidies for fishermen. They want all these things and more, and they want them paid for by people in the rest of Chile who do not have any interest in Aysén.

As I write this, the Ayseños are battling with the national police, the Carabineros de Chile, who have fired what appear to be over a thousand tear-gas projectiles in the last two days, and dozens have been injured.

If a town wishes to act in a suicidal manner, it could be argued that the protagonists should be left alone, to be hoisted by their own petards. But instead, they are taking hostages. Tourists. Foreign tourists, trapped on the wrong side of the barricades. Hooded Ayseños brandishing weapons are preventing tourists from leaving. That this happens to be unlawful is evidently of no concern to the mayor."

http://matadornetwork.com/change/protesters-in-southern-chile-cut-off-a-bridge-to-spite-themselves/