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Forestry Guild Requests Minister Tohá to Meet with Victims

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Amid the Cabinet reshuffle carried out by President Gabriel Boric this Tuesday, one of the ministers who marked the day was the departure of Izkia Siches from the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security after six months in office, with Carolina Tohá taking over the portfolio in her place.

In light of this scenario, the Association of Forestry Contractors -Acoforag- addressed the Cabinet change responsible for tackling violence in the Southern Macrozone, emphasizing their hope that the new minister will visit the area and engage with the victims of these incidents to address the ongoing actions in the region.

“IT’S NOT GOOD TO CHANGE AUTHORITIES”

Acoforag manager René Muñoz commented on Izkia Siches' departure from the Interior Ministry and outlined some of the expectations they have for the new minister, Tohá.

Regarding the new appointment, René Muñoz stated, “We believe it’s not good to change authorities first and foremost because it shifts priorities and perceptions, but ultimately, when an authority isn’t fulfilling their role, these changes are undoubtedly necessary.”

The representative of forestry contractors analyzed the beginning of the former minister’s tenure at the start of President Boric’s administration, noting, “Former Minister Siches started very enthusiastic about the Southern Macrozone issue, but after her failed visit to the area, where she was driven away by gunfire in Temocuicui, her perspective and actions regarding the zone took a different direction, and she ultimately distanced herself.”

He also highlighted the role of the current Undersecretary of the Interior, as well as police operations in the area that have led to the arrest of members of the Arauco Malleco Coordinating Committee by the police.

Specifically, he remarked, “The prominence Undersecretary Monsalve has taken is more significant, and the truth is there have been favorable developments, such as the arrests of the Llaituls, which we believe are highly relevant to the current conflict in the Southern Macrozone.”

“WE HOPE SHE VISITS THE AREA”

When discussing the guild’s expectations regarding Minister Carolina Tohá’s work on security in the Southern Macrozone, Muñoz expressed hope that the authority would visit the region to better understand the crimes and violence affecting this part of the country.

On this matter, he said, “Regarding Minister Tohá’s arrival, we don’t have much background, but we hope she visits the area and meets with the victims. It’s extremely important for someone from Santiago, like Ms. Tohá, to understand the reality here—a reality that the victims experience firsthand.”

He added, “So, it would be good—since the President isn’t coming—for the Interior Minister, in his representation, to speak with the victims, residents, and workers to get a firsthand sense of what’s happening in the area: the extreme violence linked to timber theft, drugs, arms trafficking, and a growing criminal environment that advances due to weak state control.”

Lastly, he reiterated, “We hope the minister comes to the area and can learn and understand what’s happening here.”

Source:latribuna.cl