STORY: Violent clashes broke out in central Santiago on Wednesday (June 3) as Chilean police fired water cannons and tear gas at students on a national strike, with several protesters arrested, including one seen bloodied and dragged away by officers.

The strike was called by student federation Confech, as frustration grows over right-wing President Jose Antonio Kast's policies, which critics say are dismantling public healthcare, education and social rights.

Students gathered at Plaza Baquedano and marched along the Alameda despite authorities only authorising the protest to begin further along the route, prompting riot police to move in. According to local media, metro stations Universidad Catolica and Santa Lucia were temporarily closed during the unrest before resuming normal operations.

Student Yael Fuenzalida said protesters were "fighting to maintain rights... not only for students, but also for the elderly."

Local resident Edison said the crackdown reminded him of darker times, warning "we are returning once again to a savage dictatorship."

On Monday (June 1), Kast delivered his first state of the nation address, promising to prioritise fighting crime, spending cuts and boosting economic growth. His approval rating has fallen from 57% to 38% since taking office in March.

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Arrests and clashes as Chile students renew strike against President Kast

VIDEO SHOWS: CHILEAN POLICE CARRYING ARRESTING STUDENTS / CHILEAN POLICE FIRING WATER CANNONS AT STUDENTS TAKING PART IN NATIONAL STRIKE AGAINST PRESIDENT JOSE ANTONIO KAST GOVERNMENT / SOUNDBITES FROM PROTESTERS

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SHOWS: SANTIAGO, CHILE (JUNE 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTER WITH BLOOD ON FACE BEING ARRESTED

2. PROTESTER BEING DRAGGED BY POLICE

3. FIRE BURNING ON GROUND AS POLICE IS SEEN IN BACKGROUND

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHILEAN STUDENT, YAEL FUENZALIDA, SAYING:

"(We are) fighting to maintain rights, to protect them not only for us students, but also for the elderly and for all the people who need support and whom the state cannot leave alone."

5. VARIOUS OF ARREST OF PROTESTER IN PROGRESS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, EDISON (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"We are returning once again to a savage dictatorship. The kids tried to march, they (police) didn’t let them… The teachers gassed, beaten.”

7. VARIOUS OF POLICE FIRING WATER CANNON ON STUDENTS

8. POLICE AND STUDENTS CLASHING

9. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS EMBRACING EACH OTHER STANDING IN FRONT OF WATER CANNON VEHICLE

10. VARIOUS OF WATER CANNON AND TEAR GAS BEING USED ON STUDENTS PROTESTING

11. VARIOUS OF POLICE CHASING STUDENTS