Another Night of Mapuche Violence in Southern Chile: Burned Trucks and Machines, Shots at Carabinieri and a Burned Resort

Early Wednesday, several arson attacks were recorded in various parts of the so-called southern macrozone, located in the region of La Araucania but which also occupies a significant part of the Biobío region, in southern Chile. The violent events account for the burning of trucks, vans, forestry machinery, shooting at Carabineros officials and the total destruction of a tourist complex.

The attacks took place in at least two points in the province of Arauco, specifically in the town of Curanilahue, located about 600 kilometers from the capital Santiago. Meanwhile, in parallel, the burning of a crane is being investigated on the Tacna estate, close to that place and the La Colcha plant, the base of the Arauco forestry company.

In Tirúa, also located in the province of Arauco, a group of unknown persons, who were mobilizing in two vehicles, opened fire on Carabineros officials, who had to repel the attack from their work unit. No injuries were reported.

On the other hand, the tourist complex ''Marie Groslaine', located near Victoria, in the northern part of La Aracaunía, was attacked by another group of hooded men, setting fire to five cabins and a truck. The fire could finally be controlled by the Victoria Firefighters, while the Carabineros personnel went to the compound to start the corresponding investigations. Instead of the facts, no fatalities are reported. It should be noted that a canvas was found there, awarded by the Mapuche Malleco Resistance group, which alluded to the release of Mapuche political prisoners.

In the days leading up to this morning's attacks, a series of events of violence were recorded which, according to the authorities in the area, would be related to what was detailed above. On Tuesday, in Arauco, two individuals were arrested on route-160 for the crime of stealing timber, which later caused others to stop traffic and take that route in support of the detainees.

In Contulmo, a town located in the same province, in what is a similar event, the Chilean Investigative Police arrested a man identified as Esteban Carrera Zúñiga, responsible for the murder of Eleodoro Raimán in December 2019.

In addition to all this, the Traiguén Guarantee Court condemned Emilio Berkhoff for his degree of involvement in another arson attack, for engaging in the trafficking of almost a ton of drugs and for a violent robbery in the commune of Lumaco, in Araucania itself. Berkhoff, recognizing its implication in those crimes, risks seven years of effective imprisonment. The reading of the sentence will be announced this coming April 25.

Meanwhile, René Muñoz, manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors (Acoforag), accused the Government of Chile of abandoning forest workers, as well as the entire community in the province of Arauco. 'We wonder what the government is waiting for to take action on this unleashed violence in this place, 'said the contractor, who assures that the administrative authorities, led by Gabriel Boric, are not in tune with the inhabitants of Arauco.

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