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Original article: Movimiento estudiantil en alerta ante retrocesos sociales del Gobierno

Representatives from various universities express opposition to educational cuts and other measures implemented by the Kast administration.

On April 2nd, in front of the Palacio de La Moneda, a group representing student bodies from different universities across the country issued a public declaration to express their opposition to the policies introduced during the first 20 days of José Kast’s presidency. Student leaders denounced a «high-impact simultaneous» strategy aimed at dismantling social rights achieved through years of activism, warning that they will not be passive accomplices to what they deem a historical regression for the working class.

The core of the conflict centers on higher education, following the government’s proposal for a 3% budget cut to the ministry and the announcement of restricting free education to those under 30 years old. Camila Morales, a councilor from the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Santiago (USACH), highlighted that these measures jeopardize the infrastructure and research capabilities. Regarding the age restriction on benefits, Morales emphasized that «this signifies a regression in a social right,» adding that it leaves thousands of students without opportunities to study.

The students’ frustration is not confined to the classrooms, as the written declaration addresses systemic criticisms of the security and human rights agenda. Representatives condemned a proposed law that seeks to commute sentences for prisoners over 70 years old, a measure that would benefit perpetrators of crimes against humanity. Ignacio Salazar, a councilor from the Faculty of Administration and Economics at USACH, linked these decisions to a political vision that leaves the most vulnerable unprotected, asserting, «The Government has shown in 20 days that it will be the poor who have to pay the price.»

In terms of environmental and economic issues, the student movement highlighted the repeal of over 40 decrees that limited extractivism and the historical rise in fuel prices. According to the leaders, these actions demonstrate that the current administration prioritizes corporate interests over the ecosystem and the cost of living for Chilean families. This situation has compelled a grassroots reorganization, aiming to represent students who feel disconnected from political parties yet see their future threatened.

The organization of this national alert arises directly from student bodies, in response to the lack of active federations in various universities. While they clarified that the doors are open for the Confederation of Students of Chile (CONFECH), they emphasized the importance of real and centralized coordination that emerges from local communities. «We are seeking to reach the student who today feels they are being overlooked,» explained Salazar regarding the new profile of this mobilization.

Concerning future actions on the streets, the spokespersons assured that the intensity of protests will depend directly on the government’s persistence in its austerity policies. Morales warned that, while there is no upcoming march scheduled, the willingness to protest is absolute, affirming that for any further government measures, they are «prepared to organize more fiercely.» For the students, the reference framework consists of major mobilizations from years like 2011 or 2015, which succeeded in halting similar agendas.

The press conference concluded with a call for unity among the Chilean people against what they consider a multidimensional assault on social dignity. They reaffirmed their ethical commitment to defend not only quality public education but also historical memory and the environment. With La Moneda behind them, they asserted that the initial disorganization of the student movement is fading, paving the way for active resistance against a mandate that is less than a month old.

Read the declaration here:

La entrada Student Movement Alerts Against Government’s Social Regressions se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.