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Despite State of Emergency, Armed Attacks on Forestry Contractors Increase

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During the first seven months of 2022, attack figures show a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2021, as reported by the Forestry Contractors Association, which represents over 120 service-providing companies for this industry in Chile. While there were 50 armed attacks on forestry operations in 2021, this year has already seen 61 in the same timeframe—despite the fact that, in five of those seven months, a State of Constitutional Emergency was declared in the macrozone. And this trend is now spreading toward the regions of Los Ríos and Los Lagos. The data reveals that, in the same analyzed period, attacks increased by 67% in Los Ríos, while in Los Lagos, where no armed attacks were recorded in 2021, there have already been three this year.

René Muñoz, manager of the Forestry Contractors Association AG (ACOFORAG), explains, "What we argue is that, under current conditions, violence persists, so we believe these types of crimes against forestry contracting companies require a different form of control. We value the State of Emergency, but we think other actions are needed, both from the police and prosecutors, since this forestry work takes place in an environment open to crime, which is not being contained. Armed attacks against workers and operations have increased despite the State of Emergency."

Another significant analysis from the association is that this year, 60% of all recorded attacks have occurred in the La Araucanía region, but in Arauco Province, they account for only 27% of the total. "This is because forestry activity in this province has police protection, and a significant number of operations are concentrated in the northern part of the province, very close to urban centers, where carrying out armed activities is riskier," Muñoz explains.

"In more than half of Arauco Province's territory, contractors are no longer doing our work—we no longer expose ourselves to the risk of workers being killed or having our working capital burned. This is work that is safe for people, carried out with modern equipment and all environmental and safety certifications. Forestry operations cannot be conducted in these areas because they are territories controlled by terrorist organizations," added the manager of the Forestry Contractors Association.