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Extension of the State of Emergency in the Southern Macrozone: One More Month of Surveillance

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• The Chilean Senate approves the extension of the state of emergency in the La Araucanía Region and the provinces of Arauco and Biobío, aiming to consolidate the reduction of violence and terrorism.

In a decision reflecting the complex security situation in southern Chile's macrozone, the Senate has voted nearly unanimously in favor of extending the constitutional state of emergency for an additional 30 days in the La Araucanía Region and the provinces of Arauco and Biobío. The measure, already approved by the Lower House, seeks to maintain control and reduce acts of violence and terrorism that have affected the area in recent years.

During the debate, Senator Kenneth Pugh highlighted the importance of the secret session of the Joint Security and Defense Committees, where evidence justifying the continuation of the state of emergency was presented. Meanwhile, Senator Enrique Van Rysselberghe emphasized that, despite the absence of major recent terrorist attacks, the sense of insecurity and fear still lingers among the population.

Senator Carmen Gloria Aravena stressed the need to expedite the processing of bills related to counterterrorism and victim protection, citing the alarming number of attacks on religious temples and schools over the past decade. Senator Francisco Chahuán supported this call, underscoring the importance of not normalizing or perpetuating violence in the region.

Defense Minister Maya Fernández agreed with her legislative colleagues on the importance of the work of the Joint Committees and detailed progress made in the area, including wildfire prevention, support for the agri-food sector, and interagency coordination in combating timber theft, among others.

With 24 votes in favor and only one against, the Senate has greenlit the extension of the state of emergency—a tool authorities hope will contribute to stabilization and peace in Chile's southern macrozone.

Photo: Senate