Protesters against Chile President Sebastian Pinera’s government have rallied around a student blinded by police rubber bullets and his family hopes a photo capturing his injuries will increase international pressure on the administration.

Gustavo Gatica’s name is shouted at police, borne on placards and scrawled on walls around the city.

Mr Gatica was taking pictures of a protest when he was hit on 8 November.

His case became a lightning rod in Chile for fury directed at police for alleged widespread human rights abuses during more than six weeks of demonstrations over social inequality that have left at least 26 people dead and 13,000 injured, according to prosecutors and human rights organisations.

He is one of two known cases of people left completely blind but at least 241 Chileans have suffered from eye injuries during the protests, according to Chile’s Institute for Human Rights (INDH).

Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Show all 45 1 /45 Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A member of the security forces shoots tear gas canisters at protesters. Protests against Chilean President Sebastian Pinera's government were triggered months ago after Pinera proposed changes to the country's pension system REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators protest in Plaza Italia in Santiago EPA Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police water truck is hit by a molotov bomb REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws stones REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator blows fire from his mouth as he clashes with riot police REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator kicks back a tear gas canister REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police are reached by a petrol bomb AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator uses a tennis racket to throw a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue SANTIAGO, CHILE - JANUARY 17: A Chilean riot police officer throws a gas pump against demonstrators during a protest against President SebastiÃ¡n PiÃ±era at Plaza Italia on January 17, 2020 in Santiago, Chile. Protests and social unrest arose on October 18 after a subway fare increase which developed in a social movement demanding improvements in basic services, fair prices and benefits including pensions, public health and education. (Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images) Marcelo Hernandez Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators are sprayed by riot police with a water cannon REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue An anti-government demonstrator covers his mouth and nose during a protest with a sticker on his head that reads in Spanish: "Dignity," AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator next to a burning barricade REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator with a placard that reads "United until the Victory" REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Santiago AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A police water cannon sprays water over anti-government demonstrators AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator gestures near a burning vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Matias Orellana, who lost his right eye due to impact from a tear gas canister shot by security forces, waves to demonstrators gathered to support him outside a hospital REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators take part in a protest against Chile's government in Valparaiso, Chile December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido RODRIGO GARRIDO REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police officer shots a tear gas canister Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Thousands of Chileans protest against the government of President Sebastian Pinera Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws items at an armoured vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at police during protests in Santiago, Chile Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights to riot police during a protest Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at riot police officers Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators use laser beams during an anti-goverment protest in Santiago, Chile on 12 November. REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Observers compared the use of lasers to futuristic warfare or a dance club party AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Renaca on Chile's coast AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators burn piles of furniture during a protest against Chile's government in Vina del Mar, on the country's northern coast Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator is arrested by Chilean riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator waves a Chilean flag as he is fired upon by water cannons during clashes with riot police during anti-government protests in Concepcion on 4 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators throw stones during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, near the country's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A woman walks with her children amid anti-government protests in Concepcion, on Chile's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Subway services in Santiago were suspended after activists jumped turnstiles, dodged fares and vandalised stations AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators run away from tear gas during clashes with riot police at the Bellas Artes metro station AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue School and university students joined a mass fare-dodging protest in Santiago's metro AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police throws a tear gas canister to demonstrators during clashes AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police stand next to a burning barricade following a mass fare-dodging protest in downtown Santiago AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Chile's President Sebastian Pinera declared a state of emergency in October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A protester kicks back a tear gas canister during clashes with riot polic AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police following a mass fare-dodging protest AFP/Getty

Mr Pinera has sought to mollify protesters with a spending package and a vote on a new constitution, but the marches continue and spiked last week when doctors confirmed in a statement they had been unable to save Mr Gatica’s eyes.

The interior minister Gonzalo Blumel said last week that the Mr Gatica case was “deeply painful” and made clear police protocols around the use of force needed to be revised. Mr Pinera was not immediately available for comment.

Police have suspended the use of rubber bullets except in cases of threat to life.

Mario Rozas, the Chilean police chief, said in an interview with CNN three days after the shooting that he had identified the officers who fired rubber bullets and the force was cooperating with prosecutors.

“I deeply regret what Gustavo suffered,” he said.

Women dressed in black and wearing eye patches, representing protesters injured with pellets shot by riot police (AFP)

Police declined to comment further as the case is under investigation, but said they were studying “profound” reforms to ensure “better protection of human rights”.

Mr Gatica and his parents declined to be interviewed by Reuters.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Gustavo’s brother Enrique Gatica told Reuters in the family’s home town of Colina, 19 miles from Santiago, that his brother was still following the protests and willing them on.

“If fear and repression triumph, if we return to all the indignities we were living with as a society, it would be extremely painful,” said his brother, who is studying for a history doctorate and previously worked as an educator at Chile’s Villa Grimaldi human rights organisation.

He added that his brother was conscious of the power of his case to effect change. “If it serves to renew the protests’ energy, to ensure change is achieved, he feels it would be worthwhile,” he said.