Subject: Demonstration Alert – U.S. Embassy Santiago, Chile (July 27, 2018)
Location: Santiago, Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Chillán, Los Angeles, Talcahuano and Punta Arenas
Event: U.S. Embassy Santiago advises U.S. citizens living and/or traveling in Chile of nationwide demonstrations scheduled to take place on Monday, July 30. Leaders of the National Confederation of Taxis of Chile (CONFENATACH), The National Confederation of Major and Minor Transport and the Taxi Association have scheduled a demonstration to protest the proposed regulation of technological applications for transportation, also commonly known as the “Uber Law.” A convoy of vehicles will commence at 7:30 am, meeting near the Movistar Arena and moving toward the Ministry of Transport, in downtown Santiago. An estimated 1000 vehicles may participate. Police have stated that at 7:00 am, the airport and various other locations around Santiago will see gatherings of taxi drivers who will then proceed to a rally point. The demonstrations are expected to result in significant congestion and likely delay public transportation in the morning. Other cities involved will be Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Chillán, Los Angeles, Talcahuano and Punta Arenas. U.S. Embassy Santiago reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful have the potential to become violent.
Assistance:
– Contact the U.S. Embassy in Chile, located at Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, at +56 22 330 3716, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +56 22 330 3000.
– See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Chile.
– Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
