Chile protests erupt during Foro de Madrid right-wing summit

Massive protests involving students and workers took place in Santiago, Chile, during the fifth meeting of the ‘Foro de Madrid’, a summit of right-wing thinkers held at Casa Piedra on September 3 and 4.

During the event, Argentine President Javier Milei addressed attendees, stating that Chile had experienced stability and growth for over 40 years following the removal of Salvador Allende, and calling for the right to organize against the ‘cancer of the left’.

In response to the summit, thousands of students marched through Santiago toward La Moneda. The demonstrations were met with repression from Carabineros Special Forces, involving water cannons and tear gas, resulting in at least 25 arrests and two injuries. Protesters expressed opposition to the forum, as well as to the policies of the administration of José Kast, citing economic recession, unemployment, and perceived authoritarian measures.

The Foro de Madrid was established by the Spanish political group VOX through the Disenso Foundation. Its stated mission is to create an international network to defend national sovereignty and the rule of law against what it describes as the ‘communist threat’ in the Ibero-American region.