Opposing demos in Chile amid migration influx

Anti-migration protesters were confronted by opposition demonstrators as they rallied on Saturday across Santiago.

In one demonstration in the Chilean capital, police officers had to deploy a water cannon as the groups of protesters faced off against each other.

At least one protester was seen being detained by police.

Several protesters also gathered outside Santiago's La Moneda, where they held anti-migration signs and sang the country's national anthem.

Other anti-migration demonstrations were also held in other parts of Chile.

They were held amid a spike in the number of migrants who have illegally entered Chile at the north of the country.

The Jesuit Migrant Service has estimated that at least 23,000 migrants have illegally crossed into Chile so far this year.

That's compared to 16,848 in total in 2020.