A group of about 30 students at the Internado Nacional Barros Arana (INBA) caused disorder on Tuesday in Santiago, throwing Molotov cocktails at Carabineros and leading to the detention of 15 pupils. Three of them were formalized on Wednesday for manufacturing and hurling the incendiary devices. The incident adds to similar disturbances at the Instituto Nacional on the same day.
The crisis at the INBA, an emblematic high school in Santiago, escalated on Tuesday morning when around 30 students began disturbances, throwing blunt objects and Molotov cocktails at police personnel outside the premises. After fleeing inside the school, the involved parties exited with the rest of the students when classes were suspended, at which point Carabineros conducted identity checks and detained 15 regular pupils.
Among the detainees were 13 minors, including one just 13 years old who was released to his parents as he is not criminally liable, and one adult. Fiscal Jorge Muñoz of the Fiscalía Centro Norte detailed that "a not insignificant group of approximately 30 students were throwing blunt objects and preparing incendiary elements, Molotov cocktails, which were being hurled toward police personnel". Major Jorge Zúñiga of the 3rd Carabineros Precinct explained that "upon observing that the same subjects who had been provoking the disorders exit the establishment, police personnel proceed to detain these subjects for disorder".
On Wednesday, three minors—aged 14 and two 17-year-olds—were formalized for manufacturing and throwing Molotov cocktails, and for public disorder, subjected to nighttime house arrest and oversight by the Servicio Nacional de Menores (SENAME). The other 11 detainees were warned and await citation from the Fiscalía. During the hearing, the Public Ministry hinted at possible involvement of INBA teachers in the events, inciting the violence.
Meanwhile, the Instituto Nacional experienced similar incidents that day: three hooded individuals entered with incendiary material, disrupting classes and causing a fire in the courtyard, quickly controlled. One was detained.
Santiago Mayor Mario Desbordes (RN) attributed the events to "very minority groups that attack the entire school community", emphasizing legal actions under the Aula Segura Law and rejecting dialogue with the violent: "I will not dialogue with someone who throws a Molotov". Undersecretary of Public Security Rafael Collado stated the government is evaluating a criminal complaint for offenses like carrying Molotovs under the Arms Law.
These events revive violence at the INBA following the 2024 tragedy, where over 30 minors were burned in an explosion.