Brussels - The European Commission (EC) today condemned the violence recorded in Chile, which caused 18 deaths due to the use of lethal weapons and the disproportionate use of force by the military, according to preliminary figures.

The foreign community spokeswoman, Maja Kocijancic, told reporters that the Commission deplores the incidents of violence 'that we have seen in Chile in recent days, the loss of life, the destruction of property'.

Yesterday, the National Institute of Human Rights (NHRI) of Chile reported 210 wounded by firearms since the beginning of popular protests against the Government of Sebastián Piñera.

The daily update published by that autonomous body also showed that during the repression of the demonstrations since October 17, two thousand 410 people were arrested, of which 535 were injured.

NHRI officials found that 274 of the citizens apprehended for their participation in the popular outbreak against the neo-liberal economic measures of the Executive were minors, and 18 percent women.

Kocijancic informed reporters that the European Commission and Chile make contacts at 'different levels', including through the delegation of the community bloc in the South American country.