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Association of Forestry Contractors: "The President Can Make His Statements, But He Is Wrong"
This Thursday, the Manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors, René Muñoz, spoke with *La Mañana de Agricultura*, addressing the situation of violence in the southern macrozone of the country and the statements made by President Gabriel Boric, who claimed that some forestry companies would be willing to leave conflict-ridden territories.
"The President can make his statements, but he is wrong. Here in the territory, no one is expendable. From Biobío to Los Ríos, no one is expendable, least of all the forestry industry, which is a sustainable industry that generates 300,000 jobs and supports 1.2 million people related to it," he began.
"So, I would like President Boric to say what alternative he proposes for those workers who today have a good standard of living and bring development to the regions. That is our question. This analysis cannot be an irresponsible, offhand remark," added the manager.
Regarding the origin of the President's claim, Muñoz emphasized, "I think he got (the information) from the same source that Minister (Izkia) Siches used for her trip to La Araucanía. There is a certain irresponsibility here, a presumption of knowing everything, of rebuilding and changing everything."
"We cannot irresponsibly throw out statements when the reality is different. The forestry sector will remain here permanently—it is the only sustainable sector in the country," he asserted.
Regarding the incident faced by the Interior Minister, he stated, "What happened is nothing more than what always happens, what all people and inhabitants of these regions experience. This violence is entrenched. The good thing is that the country finally understood what we have been saying for ten years."
"There are autonomous zones excluded from the country, where authorities do not dare or are unable to act—that is what is happening. I cannot conceive of a country with an autonomous region where the rule of law does not function. What message are we sending to the inhabitants of the south?" criticized Muñoz.
Later, the manager of the Association referred to possible solutions for the conflict in the southern macrozone, stating, "There are two paths: a political one and a police one, because the crimes being committed there must be judged, and those responsible must be prosecuted, convicted, and serve prison sentences."
Muñoz also commented on recent statements by the Interior Minister, who alluded to the existence of "Mapuche political prisoners" in the country—a claim the manager firmly rejected.
"In Chile, no one is judged for what they think. I believe the minister is mistaken—it’s a product of inexperience. There are no political prisoners in Chile. When they were in opposition, they used this rhetoric, and now they want to maintain it, but it doesn’t hold up," he said.
"We must clarify to Mr. (Giorgio) Jackson and the minister that their rhetoric must change. Today, the reality is that they are the government, and what they propose does not hold up in public opinion," he concluded.
Source:radioagricultura.cl
