Chile marks 2 years since uprising amid some clashes

Thousands of Chileans commemorated Monday, the second anniversary of the social outbreak that led to the installation of a Constitutional Convention in charge of drawing up a country's new Magna Carta.

Protesters gathered at dusk in Plaza Italia - the centre of the protests in the Chilean capital - and festively remembered the date with drums and other artistic expressions.

Meanwhile, hooded protesters clashed with police who deployed water cannons and riot vehicles in the surrounding area.

Barricades were set on fire as well as traffic lights, poles and public transport stations.

Demonstrations also took place in cities in the north and south of the country.

The commemoration of the revolt of 18 October 2019 coincided with the start of the Constituent Assembly's debate on the contents of the new Magna Carta.

The new Constitution, which is intended to replace the one imposed by the military dictatorship (1973-1990), would have to be approved in a mandatory plebiscite in the second half of 2022.

2019 protests left at least 30 dead, thousands injured.

The second anniversary of the outbreak is in the midst of an electoral campaign for the 21 November elections, when Sebastián Piñera's successor will be elected, and all 155 deputies and half of the 43 senators will be renewed.