Violent protests erupted in several working class neighborhoods of the capital as Chileans marked the 30th anniversary of the coup that deposed President Salvador Allende and brought General Augusto Pinochet to power.
After a day of mainly peaceful remembrances for the Marxist president, demonstrators blocked traffic with flaming barricades at a number of Santiago intersections late on Thursday and battled police in clashes that left 13 officers wounded and more than 60 people detained, said Deputy Interior Minister Jorge Correa.
One of police officers was shot in the face and hospitalized in stable condition.
"We cannot make a balance of the situation at this time. That will only be possible tomorrow," Santiago regional Governor Marcelo Trivelli said on Thursday.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the violence. In previous years, the anniversary of the coup triggered violent demonstrations.
Earlier on Thursday, President Ricardo Lagos addressed hundreds of government officials at the presidential palace and called for a society "without rancor and division."
Lagos also praised Allende, calling him a martyr and describing the coup as "a tragedy, a day of pain."
According to a version accepted by Allende's family and his closest associates, Allende shot himself with a submachine gun presented to him by Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The palace was partially destroyed by fire after the heavy air and ground attack on Sept. 11, 1973.
"Building such a future is our duty, our task," Lagos said.
Meanwhile, an ailing Pinochet made a rare public appearance at his suburban Santiago mansion. His wife, Lucia Hiriart, also appealed for national unity -- "but without distorting history."
Pinochet supporters say the government and its supporters fail to recognize the crippling economic and political crisis and the recurrent violence during Allende's presidency.
Pinochet's wife said the Sept. 11, 1973 coup led to the country "rising and winning the place it has in the world now."
Pinochet remained seated during the ceremony at the front garden of his suburban Santiago mansion. He carried a walking cane and was aided by bodyguards when he stood up to leave. He handed his red, white and blue presidential sash to the Pinochet Foundation established by followers and former aides.
The Independent Democratic Union, a political party grouping Pinochet's staunchest supporters, published a statement strongly criticizing Allende and saying the coup was the result of "the institutional, political, economic and moral crisis" caused by his unstable government.
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