Expat Community > Chile

dmartin336
Joined 2009
Posts: 24

Warden Message of US Citizens (& others I supoz)

13 years ago

In case you hadn't notice on the news or witnessed it yourselves:

To: U.S. Citizens in Chile
From: Mark Leoni, Consul General
Date: October 20, 2011
Subject: Security Notice – Student Demonstrations

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Chile of the likelihood of continuing disturbances in Santiago and other urban centers in connection with the student protest movement. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any protests.

Since June, there have been mass demonstrations in Santiago and regional capitals calling for improvements in Chile’s educational system. While the majority of the protests have been peaceful, several have involved anarchists and delinquents, frequently clad in hoods (called encapuchados) that incite violence, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails, and engage in acts of vandalism. Several demonstrations have drawn over 100,000 supporters to the streets of central Santiago. The protests have closed a number of Chile's universities and high schools, but to date have had minimal impact on travel and business. Most of the protests have been well-publicized and announced several days in advance, but the potential for spontaneous demonstrations exists.

There are no indications that foreigners or U.S. citizens are being threatened or targeted. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens are advised to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security by monitoring media, knowing the locations of police stations, hospitals, and the U.S. Embassy. The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as bystanders can quickly be caught up in unforeseen violence. If you are in immediate danger, call the police at 133.

Since the protests are ongoing and generally well-advertised, we will not send frequent Emergency Messages (unless the situation changes drastically), but will post updates on the Emergency Messages page of the U.S. Embassy Santiago Website.

Resources

Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) – register with the U.S. Embassy

U.S. Embassy Santiago website and Emergency Messages page

U.S. Department of State travel website – contains Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts

Santiago Regional Government – notices of planned protests

Country Specific Information

A Safe Trip Abroad - security information for those residing and traveling abroad

Twitter @ Travel.gov

Twitter for Embassy Santiago

Facebook for Embassy Santiago

1-888-407-4747 -- State Department Travel Information – in U.S. and Canada
1-202-501-4444 – State Department Travel Information – outside U.S. and Canada

The U.S. Embassy in Chile is located at Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. U.S. citizens may contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (56) (2) 330-3000 (available 24 hours per day).

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