The following includes some updates regarding ongoing security situations in Barcelona, Spain, and in Chile.
Barcelona:
API’s on-site directors report that protests in the city are calmer, though sporadicprotests are expected to continue. API’s university partners in Barcelona are operating normally today and the expectation is that they will continue to be open without further disruptions.
Barcelona students traveled safely as a group to Madrid for an excursion by train this past weekend and returned to Barcelona without incident. Directors will continue to keep students informed about ongoing protests or any additional security incidents moving forward.
Chile:
Following the escalation of protests into violence and vandalism in Santiago and on a more limited scale in Valparaíso, API has remained in frequent communication with our on-site directors in both cities. Alejandra and Claudia are available to support students as they witness the evolving situation.
In both Santiago and Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, our students’ host universities have elected to suspend classes for today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday). Universities, like API, are monitoring official news sources and making decisions on a day-by-day basis.
Students in Santiago have been advised to stay at home with their host families today until the situation is calmer. Given the amount of (mis)information that has been circulating on social media, they have also been urged not to rely on information gleaned from social media and instead verify the accuracy of information with more formal news organizations.
In Valparaíso/Viña, students may circulate more freely, though they have been advised to return home before dark and well in advance of the 8 pm curfew.
API will continue to monitor the situation in Chile and our on-site directors will remain in frequent communication with all students and with our Texas office. The hope is that the actions taken by the government will soon alleviate any violence that has occurred and that students will be able to resume academic activities before the end of the week.
We will remain in contact with you as more updates become available.
