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Chile’s Interior Minister Greeted by Gunfire in Test for New President

Izkia Siches was unharmed and is continuing tour of the region
Government reaffirmed plans to end state of emergency

Interior Minister Izkia Siches — Interior Minister Izkia Siches
Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg

By

Matthew Malinowski

March 15, 2022, 5:03 PM UTC

Chile’s new government will press ahead with plans to end a state of emergency in parts of the south marked by land disputes with indigenous groups even after the interior minister’s first visit there was marred by gunfire.

A convoy traveling near the community of Temucuicui was met by shots in the air, with no one injured and no damage to vehicles, spokeswoman Camila Vallejo told reporters on Tuesday. Interior Minister Izkia Siches later said that she was continuing her travels, and that “violence won’t stop us.”