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Special Session on La Araucanía: Focus on Dialogue, Security Guarantees, Peace, and Concrete Public Policies - Senate - Republic of Chile

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A cross-party call to address the situation of violence affecting the La Araucanía region and provinces of Biobío through dialogue, security guarantees, and concrete public policies marked the special Senate session convened by RN, UDI, Republican, and DC committees.

Participants included Interior and Public Security Minister Izkia Siches, Social Development and Family Minister Jeanette Vega; Biobío Regional Governor Rodrigo Díaz; La Araucanía Regional Governor Luciano Rivas; and Yasna Navarrete, vice president of the forestry contractors' association. Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve also attended.

Government officials responded to opposition questioning regarding the end of the state of emergency in the southern macrozone, the escalation of violence (including attacks on the Interior Minister and Deputy Minister), and judicial benefits that legislators argue "send a message of impunity for crimes as heinous as the murder of the Luchsinger-Mackay couple."

Criticism also arose over what was termed "a weak defense of the rights of dozens of people intimidated and victimized by terrorism," such as "the coordinated and planned attack at Lago Lanalhue, which damaged 16 homes in Contulmo—where the government only filed charges for arson."

Interior Minister Izkia Siches stated, "We all agree on wanting peace and an end to violence in the territory. This is a complex challenge we cannot solve alone as a government—we must align all perspectives and capacities. Yet, we lack a shared diagnosis."

She added, "We need everyone, but we cannot repeat the previous government’s approach, which saw a 400% increase in violence. I take responsibility for requests to prevent and prosecute violence—our government aims to build pillars of peace."

ONE COUNTRY: EMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS

Senator Iván Moreira

"La Araucanía lives in despair... We represent victims demanding government action—they’ve lost everything overnight. No one expects solutions in a month, but we need clarity on plans, strategies, and measures to ensure security in the southern macrozone."

Senator María José Gatica

"The vast majority of Mapuche communities are peaceful, hardworking people. Some paint Chile as divided, yet we are all mestizos. We ask: What are the government’s strategies? In Contulmo, they only charged arson—but families were forcibly removed, threatened, and robbed. That’s terrorism."

Senator Rojo Edwards

"I urge authorities: Imagine your home burned, your children threatened, your livestock killed. Witness the suffering of hundreds—Mapuche and non-Mapuche—enduring this for years. The government’s signals promote impunity, and ideological reasons block renewing the state of emergency."

GOVERNMENT: THE PATH OF DIALOGUE

Minister Izkia Siches

"This is a centuries-old conflict where crises worsened. State violence and absent public policies deepened poverty. Between 2017–2020, the situation deteriorated. The state has failed. We need substantive measures—not performative ones—as this is a political-rooted issue."

Social Development Minister Jeanette Vega

"20% of Chile’s population is Indigenous... Land purchases are a short-term fix. The core issues are schools, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and safety. Leadership and efficiency are lacking."

THE PAIN OF REGIONS AND THEIR PEOPLE

Biobío Governor Rodrigo Díaz

"Violence extends to Biobío and Arauco provinces, wrongly framed as solely a Mapuche conflict. Indigenous people here are just 8% of the population. We’re not Wallmapu or a 'macrozone'—we need space to address our reality. Political dialogue, security, and empathy are vital for those suffering."

La Araucanía Governor Luciano Rivas

"The victims’ pain is ours. Old political habits must change. Hardworking people here deserve better. This is a humanitarian—not political—crisis; it’s terrorism. Solving it requires principles: Without peace, no democracy or reconciliation exists. Congress must act historically—ideologies won’t help. We’ll propose concrete measures with regional mayors."

Yasna Navarrete, Forestry Contractors’ Vice President

"I’m from Collipulli, a humble farming family—not landowners or wealthy. Since 1997, we’ve faced attacks; today, our land is occupied. We’re contractors, entrepreneurs employing forestry workers. Countless attacks nearly bankrupted us where jobs are scarce. Our families endure threats—we demand peace."

IDENTIFYING THE CONFLICTS

Senator Ximena Rincón

"I requested this session. Violence and state neglect must end. Constant states of emergency aren’t solutions—the government failed to pinpoint conflict triggers. Neglect breeds despair and violence. We need action, not more diagnoses, and to exit political trenches. Violence is the symptom; poverty and lack of development are the roots."

Senator Fidel Espinoza

"I condemn all terrorism, including the failed Operation Huracán, murders, and attacks. Intelligence services have catastrophically failed to combat violence in La Araucanía and beyond."

Senator Carmen Gloria Aravena

"I’m from La Araucanía—not 'Wallmapu,' a separatist term many reject... Budget execution lags because workers fear daily threats. Meet leaders who oppose this conflict—it’s between organized crime and La Araucanía’s residents."

Senator Sebastián Keitel

"Attacks on Minister Siches, innocent deaths, and arson aren’t random. The government’s weak legal response signals impunity to violent actors. Negotiating with terrorists is unacceptable."

Senator Fabiola Campillai

"Criticizing a month-old government is easy—offer solutions instead. We want peace. Dialogue fails when militarization comes first. I trust the Interior Minister’s approach—dialogue is the path."

Senator Javier Macaya

"The state must act without arrogance. The government lectures others while refusing to prosecute the attack on Minister Siches—a grave misstep. Rule of law must prevail."

Senator Gastón Saavedra

"Recall the historic 1825 Tapihue Parliament—its agreements were broken. Distinguish between Mapuche dialogue, illegal logging (a regulatory issue), and terrorism/drug trafficking. Force alone won’t solve this."

Senator Jaime Quintana

"This is a historic political conflict... Security is urgent, but linking timber theft or drug trafficking to the Mapuche people won’t solve anything. Blaming them denies reality."

Senator José García Ruminot

"Sticking to partisan views won’t resolve the south’s crisis. This isn’t just a Mapuche-state conflict—misdiagnosis persists. We need consensus on measures, including security, to build peace."

Senator Iván Flores

"Address this through consequences and past errors—arrogance, setups, or lack of empathy. It’s a complex, multisectoral issue needing integrated solutions via transparent, assertive political dialogue."

Senator Enrique Van Rysselberghe

"The government must pair dialogue with a comprehensive crime prevention plan and concrete security measures for the southern macrozone. Biobío Province needs action now."

Senator Claudia Pascual

"This is a historic conflict between Chile and the Mapuche people... Military responses worsen it. I endorse the government’s dialogue strategy but stress the need for political, economic, and social development solutions."

Senator Manuel José Ossandón

"Dialogue must reject all violence—no threats or pressure. Show us your roadmap, government. This negativity harms everyone."

Senator José Miguel Insulza

"I thank the ministers for fostering dialogue... Learn from history: Chile pacified La Araucanía in the 19th century amid bloodshed. We must acknowledge this and keep dialoguing with all."

Senator Francisco Chahuán

"When attacks block government delegations, file charges—it’s a political signal... Fast-track laws recognizing Indigenous peoples, their language, and ancestral practices. Demand monthly violence reports."

Senator Esteban Velásquez

"Despite differing views, this debate was profound. Minister Siches’ strategy—including a Truth Commission—should continue under President Boric. Never abandon dialogue!"

Senator Felipe Kast

"The minister cited two murders but ignored 48 others. La Araucanía cries for peace—not emergency measures. Don’t blame the Mapuche for terrorism or drug trafficking—they’re separate issues. Dialogue with them, but unite against crime."

Source:senado.cl