Chile: Heavy clashes hit Lota as police fire water cannon & tear gas at protesters

Heavy clashes broke out in Lota on Tuesday, with riot police using water cannon and tear gas to disperse crowds who responded by throwing missiles at the officers. The unrest occurred when several dozen fishermen started blocking a road over a payment dispute with the government. The group used concrete slabs and other objects to interfere with traffic on Route 160, citing an unpaid bonus as the cause of their anger. The benefit promised by the Chilean government is supposed to compensate the fishermen for economic disadvantages caused by falling catch quotas for sardines and anchovies as well as business closures imposed by the reduction of biomass.