Coronavirus cases soared in Chile Tuesday as soldiers were deployed to back up riot police in Santiago following clashes with demonstrators angry about food shortages and job losses.
Soldiers in armoured vehicles and wielding automatic weapons were deployed to the working class neighbourhood of El Bosque, where on Monday residents armed with clubs and stones clashed with riot police.
"People don't have work, they don't have money and they don't have food," said Monica Sepulveda, a 46-year-old unemployed security guard from El Bosque.
Santiago began a total lockdown on Friday as Chile strives to contain its coronavirus outbreak.
Pinera announced on Sunday that bags with food staples would be given to the poorest people, but didn't explain when or how distribution would take place.
