Miners' familes complain of 'politics'

COPIAPO, Chile, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Some families of Chilean miners trapped underground since Aug. 5 say they worry that the country's president may be using the rescue to boost his popularity.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera visited the mine Sunday, speaking with the 33 men trapped since an underground mine collapse near Copiapo and presenting a plaque to families etched with the words the miners spoke to rescuers, "We're fine, in the shelter, all 33," CNN reported.

"This is all politics. It's dirty. It's trickery and propaganda. They're playing with the feelings of our loved ones," said Nelly Bugueno, the mother a trapped miner.

The rescue operation seems to have boosted Pinera's popularity.

Despite complaints that the goverment has been slow to bebuild after an earthquake and tsunami earlier this year, Pinera's overall approval rating has gone up to 56 percent, a 10 percent increase in a month, a research company survey indicated. It said the increase was "directly related" to the rescue operations at the mine.

"We know politicians want to show off, but I don't care about the politics. All I care about is that the president gets our boys out," said Cristina Nunez, the wife of another miner.

Three drilling operations are under way simultaneously as part of the rescue operation that officials said they hope will result in the men's extraction in November.

Officials said the men, found alive 12 days after the collapse, have been receiving food, water, medicine and other supplies through bore holes.