Chilean protesters march against environmental rollbacks

Hundreds of protesters, including members of the National Ecologist Assembly, students, and environmental activists, marched in Santiago and other cities across Chile. The demonstrations, organized under the banner of a march against environmental setbacks and for animal protection, targeted the administration of President José Antonio Kast.

Activists are demanding the full reinstatement of 43 environmental decrees that were issued between 2023 and 2026 during the presidency of Gabriel Boric. These measures were reportedly withdrawn from the Comptroller General’s review in March. Protesters expressed concerns regarding economic and tax reforms that they claim impact environmental permitting, as well as potential threats to wildlife, such as sea lions, due to industrial fishing and salmon farming interests.