Operational Arm of CAM Falls: 5 Arrested for Arson Attack in Quilleco
Early this Friday morning, an arson attack was reported at kilometer 25 of Route Q-45—the road toward Antuco—in theprovince of Bío Bío. There, at least two trucks were burned, and one of the drivers suffered injuries. A banner was also found at the scene with the slogan "forest companies out" and demanding the release of so-called Mapuche political prisoners.
The pamphlet found was signed by a territorial resistance group (ORT) linked to theArauco Malleco Coordinating Committee(CAM).
During the deployment of Carabineros, five individuals were arrested at the scene. Among the detainees is the cousin of Ernesto Llaitul Pesoa, one of the accused in another arson attack that occurred in 2021 at the Fundo Punta Arenas, Paraguay sector, in the commune of Los Ángeles, near the Saltos del Laja.
According to sources fromRadio Bío Bío, most of the detainees belong to the Arauco Malleco Coordinating Committee (CAM), an organization that advocates for the Mapuche struggle. Thus, one of CAM's operational arms was caught in the act.
The detainees were identified as Axel Cristóbal Campos Vivallo; Roberto Alejandro Garling Infanta; Óscar Hernán Cayupán Calfín; José Ignacio Lienqueo Márquez; and Bastián Andrés Llaitul Vergara. The latter is the cousin of Ernesto Llaitul, the son of CAM's historic leader (Héctor Llaitul Carrillanca).
Arson Attack Claimed by CAM
According to police reports, one of the victims stated that around six unknown individuals dressed in dark clothing, hooded, and armed with long firearms arrived at the forestry operation located at Km. 25 of Route Q-45 to intimidate him.
From there, the hooded individuals stole two trucks from inside the operation and forced a worker to drive to the main road, where they ordered him to exit and set the truck on fire. Subsequently, the criminals fled in the other stolen truck along the same route toward Los Ángeles.
After police personnel arrived at the scene, the chief of the Retén El Álamo found the second truck ablaze on the same route.
TheBío Bío Regional Prosecutor's Officeconfirmed the arrest of the five suspects and announced they will undergo a detention legality review. Meanwhile, Carabineros reported that a press conference will be held at 10 a.m. at the Bío Bío Prefecture in Los Ángeles to provide further details on the case.
Source:www.biobiochile.cl