News

Forestry Guilds Request Expanded Powers for Armed Forces in Southern Macrozone

Sponsors

Representatives of the forestry business guild in the Southern Macrozone called for increasing the powers of the Armed Forces under the current State of Emergency in place. They argue that this would allow deployed units to carry out various actions, including identity checks and vehicle inspections.

The proposal seeks to align the actions of the Army with those in the northern part of the country, where a State of Emergency has been in effect since last February, with military personnel deployed at the border to prevent irregular migration and crimes such as drug trafficking.

Under this deployment, Armed Forces personnel are authorized to conduct identity checks, search clothing, detain individuals when warranted, and control entry into the country.

STATE OF EMERGENCY WITH EXPANDED POWERS
The manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors, René Muñoz, addressed this request from the guild to implement measures similar to those in the north in communes of the Southern Macrozone. He emphasized, "The issue is that we’ve been immersed in this level of destruction and violence in the Southern Macrozone for a long time, and despite States of Emergency and Catastrophe, the situation persists."

He further commented, "We see investments destroyed, equipment ruined, houses and churches burned—and nothing happens to these terrorists and criminals," he stressed.

Additionally, René Muñoz stated, "What we believe is that States of Emergency should now be more intrusive, allowing the Armed Forces to act autonomously and on their own initiative, just as was established in the north. This means conducting identity checks, inspecting vehicles, and making arrests when justified."

On this point, he added, "We believe this difference is important because it would no longer have the Armed Forces wasting fuel on unproductive patrols. Instead, these patrols would help support the police and maintain a calmer, more conducive environment for work."

When asked whether this proposal has already been discussed or presented to local or national authorities, the Acoforag manager indicated, "We’re just starting with this, as we raised it yesterday. We believe it must be considered."

He added, "Unfortunately, the extension of the State of Emergency was voted on yesterday (Tuesday), but there are already lawmakers who oppose continuing with a 'light' State of Emergency—one that, frankly, doesn’t enforce anything and allows what’s happening to continue. We see the conflict spreading further south."

ARSON ATTACKS IN 2023
Regarding violent incidents recorded this year, Muñoz noted, "We’ve had ten attacks so far—60% in La Araucanía, but 30% in the Los Lagos region. We fear this could spread even further south in the Macrozone."

Source:www.latribuna.cl