SANTIAGO, Feb. 23 -- Chile's President Sebastian Pinera on Sunday said his government is ready to maintain "law and order" during protests planned for March.
"Many are expecting a violent March. The government has prepared to safeguard law and order, and promote a March of agreements," Pinera said via Twitter.
Referring to widespread demands for improvements in government services, he said that "to increase pensions, create a guaranteed minimum wage and improve healthcare, agreements, not violence, is the way."
Various organizations and movements have called for protests in March to continue the momentum of nationwide anti-government demonstrations sparked in October by a hike in subway fares in the capital Santiago.
Often violent demonstrations spread across the country as Chileans expressed their discontent with the high cost of living and growing inequality.
To step up security, the government has bought new armored vehicles and surveillance drones, and trained thousands of police.
Pinera's administration has also taken steps to meet citizens' demands, including submitting a bill to Congress that would benefit 670,000 workers with a gross monthly minimum wage of 452 U.S. dollars.
His government has also planned an April 26 plebiscite on whether or not to change the Constitution to better address the growing wealth gap in one of Latin America's leading economies.
飞机抵达“目的地”,乘客全都傻眼了!BBC主持人笑岔气……
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Sun Wei wins silver at Birmingham gymnastics World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Sterlings hat-trick help England crush Czechs 5-0 in Euro 2020 qualifier
国内英语资讯:Taiwan issue brooks no foreign interference: defense ministry
国内英语资讯:Chinese Americans in San Francisco vow to enhance mutual understanding between China, U.S.
国内英语资讯:Boao Forum for Asia annual conference concludes with consensus reached
首次全女性太空行走取消 竟因航天服“不合身”
国际英语资讯:Trump renews threat to close U.S.-Mexico border
国际英语资讯:Singapore nominates hawker culture to be on UNESCOs heritage list
娱乐英语资讯:2019 Namibia Annual Music Awards launched
国内英语资讯:Top political advisor stresses investigation, research
大学生空腹豪饮的趋势令人担忧
体坛英语资讯:World champion France breeze past Moldova 4-1 in Euro 2020 qualifier
经济增长不能保证幸福感上升
国际英语资讯:Israeli army says prepared for expected Palestinian rallies on Gaza border
国际英语资讯:U.S. attorney general tells Congress to expect redacted version of Mueller report by mid-Apr
国际英语资讯:British lawmakers reject PMs Brexit deal
体坛英语资讯:Renewed Germany grab late win against Netherlands in Amsterdam
国内英语资讯:Chinas top 10 archaeological finds of 2018
国内英语资讯:Xis article on upholding, developing socialism with Chinese characteristics to be publishe
赏樱季到啦!关于樱花你可能不知道的10件事
国际英语资讯:Over 50 IS militants killed by U.S.-led airstrikes in eastern Syria
体坛英语资讯:Spain start Euro qualifying with 2-1 win over Norway
国际英语资讯:Chinese rescuers donate supplies to cyclone victims in central Mozambique
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Wang Qiang into third round at Miami Open
国内英语资讯:Across China: Childrens hospice care holds out hope for cure in eastern China
体坛英语资讯:Albania lose to Turkey 2-0 at opening Euro 2020 qualifier
My First Year of Middle School 我的初一生活
体坛英语资讯:Ghana sink Kenya to top Group F of 2019 AFCON qualifiers
有哪些老外的美食让中国人恶心?