国际英语资讯:Chilean govt braced for March protests, says president

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.