• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechUber Technologies

Man Dies After an Uber Protest in Chile Blocks Road to the Airport

By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 5, 2017, 4:37 AM ET

A Chilean protest against Uber and other ride-hailing services has resulted in one death, according to local police.

Taxi drivers blocked the way in and out of Santiago’s main airport on Monday, in what has become a familiar event around the world: cab drivers protesting against the threat to their livelihoods posed by app-based rivals.

At least 15 people were arrested and the local governor has promised to bring charges against the protest’s organizers, according to Reuters. Chilean regulators are currently considering legislation to regulate Uber and other similar services, such as Cabify.

According to CBS News, a 65-year-old Brazilian vacationer named Mario Irochi Suzuki suffered a heart attack in the traffic jam caused by the protest. Although he was flown to hospital by helicopter, he died soon after arriving.

The protest also reportedly caused delays to flights from regional carriers LATAM Airlines and Sky.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

“This takeover of the airport by the taxi drivers has significantly hurt the image of Chile, the image of the airlines, and has hurt people traveling or arriving in the country,” said Claudio Orrego, Santiago region’s governor.

Last month, Australian taxi drivers similarly blocked access to Melbourne’s airport, in protest at the decision to let Uber serve its passengers. Anti-Uber protests also recently took place in Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan.

About the Author
By David Meyer
LinkedIn icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.