The United States and Chile have a signed a nuclear power cooperation agreement in which the United States will help Chile build a number of new nuclear power stations, even though Chile is located in an earthquake-prone region. Last year, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction in Chile. In 1960, a 9.5-magnitude earthquake hit the country—the most powerful quake of the 20th century. The deal was announced on Friday ahead of President Obama’s visit to the country. On Sunday, more than 2,000 Chilean anti-nuclear activists marched through Santiago to protest the nuclear deal.
Paola Navarro, anti-nuclear protester: “I don’t like it [nuclear power plants in Chile]. There are other alternatives, and the government has to study them. It also has to do with our health, for all the people, not just Chileans, but South Americans and, well, the world.”