Puerto Montt graffiti suspects launch raffle to pay for vandalism damages

A couple facing charges for vandalizing 86 facades in Puerto Montt, Chile, has launched a ‘solidarity raffle’ on social media to fund their legal defense and potential fines. The individuals, identified by the graffiti tags ‘Yuko’ and ‘GSE’, face up to two months in prison and must pay for damages.

While the defendants estimate the damages at 4 million pesos, the Municipality of Puerto Montt, acting as a plaintiff, estimates the total cost at approximately 8 million pesos, including damage to municipal property and protected areas like Barrio Puerto. The raffle offers prizes such as tattoo sessions, piercings, watercolor paintings, and violin lessons.

Local authorities have condemned the raffle as a ‘provocation.’ Mayor Rodrigo Wainraihgt stated that the administration is seeking a conviction and emphasized the city’s ‘El que raya, paga’ (He who tags, pays) policy, which aims to prosecute those who vandalize public and private spaces.