A barricade burns during a protest in Santiago, Chile, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
Protestors clashed with riot police in Santiago, Chile on Friday after four months of sustained protests against the government initially sparked by grievances over metro fare pricing and the national cost of living.
The big picture: Chile has the greatest level of income inequality among all countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Wall Street Journal reports. Chileans have cited education and health care costs as especially cumbersome.
Demonstrators protest in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesDemonstrators protest in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesDemonstrators protest in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesA Chilean riot policeman draws a weapon at protestors in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesDemonstrators burn a barricade in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesRescue volunteers carry a demonstrator on a stretcher in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesA protestor throws a tear gas canister back at riot police in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesDemonstrators light a fire in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesProtestors use lasers to distract or obstruct riot police and their equipment in Santiago, Feb. 21. Photo: Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images