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Multiple Attacks in La Araucanía: Unknown Assailants Burn 5 Machines, a School, and Chapel

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A series of violent incidents occurred between last night and early this Monday in the La Araucanía Region, including the burning of at least five machines, a school, and a chapel.

Around 11:00 p.m. last night, Carabineros arrived at kilometer 592 of Route 5 South (Ercilla-Pailahueque). Upon entering the Chamichaco area, they found a burned-out pickup truck, two 7.62 caliber cartridges, eight 12-gauge shotgun shells, and a banner referencing the Mapuche cause.

"Justice begins here, the bullets fired will be returned, Temucuicui resists wewain, Mapuche resistance Malleco RMM," the banner read. According to Carabineros, no one was injured or arrested.

Meanwhile, at 3:10 a.m., an attempted homicide against a Carabinero officer was reported. This occurred after service personnel stationed at kilometer 4.6 of Route 388 (Ercilla-Pidima) were attacked with at least 20 shots by a group of individuals approximately 300 meters away. After fleeing, the suspects displayed a banner identical to the one found in the Chamichaco incident. Additionally, a homicide was reported early this morning in the Villarrica commune, specifically in the area known as "segunda faja."

According to Deputy Chief Roberto Barrientos, head of the Temuco Homicide Brigade, the incident involved a firearm homicide "of a male Chilean national, who reportedly suffered two ballistic impacts outside his home." The motive is currently under investigation but is believed to be linked to prior disputes between the possible suspects and the deceased victim.

Chapel and School

In the Victoria commune, an arson attack targeted the Sagrado Corazón chapel in the community, located at kilometer 5 of Route 839 S. A banner with the same message as the previous two incidents was also found at the scene.

The Prosecutor's Office also reported the discovery of a burning pickup truck in the Selva Oscura sector at kilometer 27 of Route 181, also in the Victoria commune. No banners were found, and no arrests or injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, around 6:00 a.m., in Quitratue, Gorbea commune, a total of five machines were burned at the Santa Rosa estate owned by the Mininco forestry company, specifically at kilometer 10 of Route S 736.

Workers at the site noticed the attack around 5:40 a.m., reporting that an unidentified group of individuals approached the area where the machines were parked, doused them with an accelerant, and then set them on fire. No arrests were made, and no banners claiming responsibility were found.

Another arson attack was also recorded, this time targeting Las Cardas School, located on the road to Pua in Victoria. The incident resulted in no arrests or injuries, but a banner referencing the Mapuche cause was found. The Temuco Bipe and the PDI Criminalistics Laboratory are working at the scene.

Source:www.emol.com