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"They All Have to Go": Forestry Union Points to Replacement of Judges, Prosecutors, and Police in Arauco

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"What we think is that everyone in the province of Arauco has to go. I'm talking about police, carabineros, judges, prosecutors." With these words, the leader of the Association of Forestry Contractors, René Muñoz, called for "a total change" in the area. The viewpoint was not disputed by Deputy Eric Aedo, who argued that staying in one place for too long can lead to normalizing abnormal situations.

The Association of Forestry Contractors (Acoforag) demanded that, for real changes in security matters in the Southern Macrozone, police, prosecutors, and judges must be removed.

Since August 31, days have passed without the Executive enacting the timber theft law, which was passed by the National Congress. The case is being analyzed by various unions and associations of workers and victims, who see how acts of violence in the area persist.

The head of the Association of Forestry Contractors, René Muñoz, believes the Executive has shown zero political will to make strong changes in security matters.

In fact, the leader was blunt in stating that the association's stance is that a total change is needed: from the police, prosecutors, and judges.

“What we think is that everyone in the province of Arauco has to go. I'm talking about police, carabineros, judges, prosecutors. A total change must happen,” he stated.

He also called for changing the jurisdiction of trials. “Why do they have to be held in Cañete, where judges and police are all under threat? There’s a lack of political will here,” he criticized.

The analysis is not dismissed by Deputy and President of the Timber Theft Commission, Eric Aedo, who acknowledges that international experience shows the prolonged presence of police or judicial authorities in these contexts must be constantly reviewed.

“It may be that when you spend too long in one place, you start getting used to a certain reality. Things that seem normal to you may be absolutely abnormal when viewed from the outside,” he argued.

The lawmaker added that, in talks with the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency (Segpres), Ana Lya Uriarte, there are expectations that the law toughening penalties for timber theft will be enacted next week.

Source: www.biobiochile.cl