South America - Traveling to Punta Arenas / Torres del Paine? Warning (12 Jan 11)

One of many stories. (http://en.mercopress.com/2011/01/06/punta-arenas-on-strike-over-a-planned-20-gas-price-hike)

Strikes because of the sudden spike in natural gas supplies. LAN is warning passengers en español (http://www.lan.com/es_cl/sitio_personas/noticias/noticias/lan-informa-estado-de-sus-vuelos-hacia-y-desde-punta-arenas) that while they can probably get you there, you may have no way into the city. Also, some warnings about not being able to get to Torres del Paine. en español (http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=458012)

A political hot potato. But posted here as a travel caveat for those who may have impending travel.

I follow a free wheeling expat in Chile board, ThornTree SA, and TA.

The reality on the ground is yes roadblocks between TDP and Puerto Natales; in around PN and Punta Arenas; and the routes to the PA airport and Argentina border crossings. All tourism has been halted with the unfortunates in PN essentially grounded to their lodgings waiting it out. Travelers are walking to the airport in PA. Shops and services are closed and the ones trying to operate have been targets of vandalism.

Though not targeted by the demonstrators, it is strongly advised that foreigners get out of there ASAP if they can. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT GAS PRICES, it appears all past grievances and slights between this region and the national government is simmering to a potential boil.

Glad to see that no FlyerTalkers are stuck there or have imminent plans to visit.

There is now a (belated) official notice form the US Embassy in Santiago.

There are perhaps a couple of thousand stranded travelers who find things quite difficult with many stores closed and the sense they are not 100% welcome at the moment by many locals.

The government inaction is probably the actual policy which is to let the protesters wear themselves out especially as supplies of food and fuel dwindle ...

And .... oh yeah ... the innocent foreign visitors stuck there be D'd.

After all the press of the past year from the recovery from a mega quake to the rescue of the miners, I'd say Chile tourism has now been irreparably harmed.

Has the situation with political protests / road blockages etc. in Santiago improved or is it still advisable to postpone travel to the area?

Has the situation with political protests / road blockages etc. in Santiago improved or is it still advisable to postpone travel to the area?

The above event took place in Punta Arenas, which is near the southern-most tip of Chile.

Has the situation with political protests / road blockages etc. in Santiago improved or is it still advisable to postpone travel to the area?
The strike has been over for weeks though it may flare up again over some other issue in the future. Santiago was never affected. Actually most of Chile really didn't give a damn as this is vacation season and that region needs the rest of Chile more than the latter needs the far south.