News

CAM Leader Héctor Llaitul Found Guilty in State Security Law Trial

Sponsors

• The Temuco court issues a guilty verdict against the spokesperson of the Coordinadora Arauco Malleco for multiple crimes, including usurpation and assault on authority.

In a ruling that has captured national attention, the Temuco Oral Criminal Court has found Héctor Llaitul, leader of the Coordinadora Arauco Malleco (CAM), guilty of a series of crimes, including violent usurpation, timber theft, and assault on authority. The sentence, which will be officially announced next Tuesday, could mark a turning point in the conflict between the Chilean State and the demands of the Mapuche people.

The trial, which began on March 12, has been marked by tension and controversy. During the opening arguments, regional prosecutor Roberto Garrido presented his case against Llaitul, while the defense and the accused himself argued that the process was tainted by "historical persecution" and a lack of cultural understanding.
Before the verdict was read, Llaitul had the opportunity to present his defense, requesting acquittal and arguing that the evidence presented should be "concrete, objective, and substantiated." Additionally, the CAM spokesperson denounced what he considers "political persecution" and criticized the prosecution for its "subjective" approach during the investigation.

Judge Rocío Pinilla, while announcing Llaitul's guilt, set the schedule for the sentencing, which is eagerly awaited both by supporters of the Mapuche cause and those demanding stricter enforcement of the law against acts of violence and usurpation.

This case not only highlights the existing tensions in the La Araucanía region but also underscores the complexity of land and cultural conflicts in Chile. Llaitul's conviction could have significant consequences for future relations between the State and Indigenous peoples, as well as for the Mapuche autonomist movement.

The community now awaits the final sentence, which could impose a prison term of up to 25 years on Llaitul, as requested by the prosecution. Meanwhile, the debate over justice and Indigenous rights continues to rage both in Chile and on the international stage.