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UDD Report Reveals a "Notable" Decrease in the Amount of Stolen Timber

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• Additionally, regarding violations of the Arms Law, between 2020 and 2023, significant increases were observed in the provinces of Cautín (267.5%), Arauco (244.9%), Biobío (117.1%), and Malleco (60%).

In the "red zone," crimes with the highest public impact have shown an increase since 2021. Between 2021 and 2023, the provinces of Biobío and Cautín recorded increases of 62.5% and 71%, respectively. Meanwhile, the provinces of Arauco and Malleco saw increases of 31.2% and 41.2%, respectively, during the same period.

This was made evident according to the "Regional Bulletin of the Faro UDD Humanities and Social Sciences Nucleus, Under the Shadow of Crime: Violence and Timber Theft in Southern Chile."

It highlighted that the complex situation in this territory is due to several factors, such as poverty levels exceeding the national rate, reaching 7.5% in Biobío and 11.6% in Araucanía, as well as high rurality, which accounts for 71.4% of the municipalities in Arauco and Biobío, and 54.5% and 61.9% in Malleco and Cautín, respectively, according to ODEPA data.

This issue worsened since 1997 with the presence of rural violence, compounded by the illicit activities of groups dedicated to the extraction and illegal sale of timber, generating high levels of associated violence and increasing the sense of insecurity in the area, according to the report.

In the "red zone," crimes with the highest public impact have shown an increase since 2021. This rise is related to the growing population density in the provinces of Biobío and Cautín. Between 2021 and 2023, Biobío and Cautín recorded increases of 62.5% and 71%, respectively. In contrast, the provinces of Arauco and Malleco, with higher rurality and lower population density, saw increases of 31.2% and 41.2%, respectively, during the same period.

Regarding violations of the Arms Law, in three of the four mentioned provinces, 2023 recorded the highest figures. From 2020 to 2023, significant increases were observed in Cautín (267.5%), Arauco (244.9%), Biobío (117.1%), and Malleco (60%). This increase can be attributed to the reinforcement of state control and deployment of forces in response to rising violence, as well as the increase in firepower, evidenced by the use of firearms by both private individuals and organized crime.

In this context, on February 27, 2022, Law No. 21.488 was enacted, establishing the crime of timber theft, expanding powers for criminal investigation and control to certify the legal origin of harvested timber. As a result of these measures and increased state deployment, a notable decrease in the amount of stolen timber has been observed.

According to data from the Chilean Wood Corporation (CORMA), nationally in 2021, a total of 1,506,329 m³ of timber was stolen from its associates, while by the end of 2023, a significant decrease was projected, with a total of 267,120 m³ stolen, representing an 82% reduction compared to the previous year.

Additionally, according to information provided by the Public Prosecutor's Office, during 2023, a total of 833 cases of timber theft were recorded in the Biobío and La Araucanía regions. Of these, 430 cases had an identified defendant, while in 403 cases, the defendant remained unknown. The province of Arauco stands out, experiencing a significant increase in cases filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office, reaching the highest figure in the last five years, with a total of 248 cases recorded.

According to the 2022 Operational Management Results Report of Carabineros de Chile, the crimes that stand out in the context of rural violence are: property crimes, with arson leading at 316 cases; crimes against persons, with 70 cases of attacks and threats against authorities; and 9 homicides reported during 2022.

Alexander Nanjeri, professor and researcher at Faro UDD, stated that the presence of the state cannot decrease, as "the official figures indicate there is arduous work to be done in these provinces, particularly in Arauco. Thus, measures aimed at reducing or ending greater state and police presence in the area will only allow an increase and advancement of illegal timber theft, high-impact crimes, and rural violence."