At least three agents of the militarized Carabineros de Chile police force died today in an attack in La Araucaníaa region that is the scene of a ancestral conflict between indigenous peoples, the government and large landowners and forestry businessmen who exploit ancient lands and forests.
As soon as the news was known, on a day in which the institution celebrates its anniversary with a parade, the president of the Republic, Gabriel Boricassembled his crisis cabinet, condemned the attack and said there would be no pause in the pursuit of the murderers.
“This morning we received the serious and painful news of an attack in the province of Arauco in which three police officers were murdered. After an emergency meeting with the ministers Carolina Tohá, Maya Fernandezthe undersecretaries Manuel Monsalve and Ricardo Monteroand the presidential delegate of Biobío, Daniela Dresdner; We coordinate immediate actions to respond to this cowardly attack. In the next few hours, I will travel with various State authorities to the area,” the president explained on social networks.
“The police, Armed Forces and Government teams are already working at the scene. I assure Chileans that there will be no impunity. and that we will find the whereabouts of the authors of this terrible crime. Finally, I have decided to decree National mourning for three days in all the country. Know, Carabineros de Chile, that you are not alone,” he added.
Along the same lines, the head of the carabinieri, general Ricardo Yanezregretted that “once again we carry the mourning, with the weight of a cruel and vile murder. Three police officers who were serving and providing security were terribly murdered in an area that we know is complex.”
“Once again, our month of April, our anniversary, is stained by blood, by those who do not hesitate to murder those who care for us. We are hurt, deeply distressed by this, and we convey our condolences to their families and co-workers,” said Yañez, who announced the suspension of protocol acts for Carabinero day.
The attack took place around 1:30 a.m. (6:30 GMT) in the central town of Cañete, when a group of armed men attacked a police vehicle which was transporting Public Order Control (COP) officials from the Los Álamos police station and they set fire to the vehicle, where a sergeant and two corporals were burned to death.
Araucanía has been under a state of emergency since May 2022 in an attempt to control attacks, mostly incendiary sabotage, by armed groups.
(With information from EFE)
