Anti-immigration protests rock northern Chile amidst violence aimed at migrant camps

Protesters took to the street to protest against immigration and crime in the north of Chile on Sunday, with some violent factions destroying belongings from migrant camps in the streets amid growing tension in the region over border controls.

Photos showed protesters, many carrying Chilean flags, breaking up tent structures and bedding in Iquique, an echo of anti-immigration protests in September 2021 when migrant camps were burned.

But despite strict pandemic restricions in recent years, many migrants from countries like Venezuela and Haiti have not stopped trying to reach Chile, one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries This has only exacerbated Chilean who have been in the streets since 2019 protesting against perceived income inequality.

"This can't go on," read one protest banner from Sunday's march, Reuters reported. 

But the protests quickly turned violent and local media reported that a group of demonstrators ended up attacking one male migrant. Videos uploaded to social media showed the man lying on the ground while protesters – many waving Chilean flags and holding saucepans – shouted at him.

The latest call to protest apparently came after a group of Venezuelan migrants attacked police officers at a checkpoint, sparking outrage across Chile.

Migration and crime were a big voter concern in presidential elections late last year, which were won by left-wing Gabriel Boric, 35, a former student protest leader who will assume office in March of this year.