Roto

In Chile, from the start of the 20th century, it was applied with a negative classist connotation to poor city-dwellers.

It is also used contemptuously in other Spanish-speaking countries, especially Bolivia[1] and Peru, to refer to Chileans in a derogatory manner.

The term roto has been used in Peru since the times of the Spanish conquest, when Diego de Almagro's disappointed troops returned to Cuzco (after a failed gold-seeking expedition in Chile) with their torn clothes, due to the extensive and laborious passage on foot through the Atacama Desert.

[2][3] In the early days of Santiago its inhabitants were notoriously poorly dressed as result of a lack of food and supplies.

The Army has a particular appreciation to the figure which was regarded as the main hero –a collective and anonymous hero- of some of the most crucial battles in the war against Bolivia and Peru.

Monument to the Chilean roto , Plaza Yungay , Santiago
Example of recent expressions of Bolivian irredentism over territorial losses in the War of the Pacific (1879–1884). In the mural it is written; "What once was ours, will be ours once again", and "Hold on rotos (Chileans), because here come the Colorados of Bolivia"