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Calls for Government to Take Active Role and Request Measures in Investigations into Temucuicui

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• Voices from La Araucanía emphasize that, as a plaintiff, the Executive Branch can activate cases through various laws and procedures.

For arson attacks, armed assaults, homicide, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, timber theft, violent vehicle robberies, among other crimes, members of the Mapuche community of Temucuicui (Ercilla) and the group Resistencia Mapuche Malleco (RMM), alleged to be the armed wing of the indigenous organization, are under investigation, according to cases opened by the Public Ministry. Among the accused is their spokesperson, Jorge Huenchullán, a fugitive from justice since August 2021.

By rejecting the entry of public officials into their area, the last two population censuses faced immediate obstacles in surveying their inhabitants, despite claims by both Undersecretary of the Interior Manuel Monsalve and Presidential Delegate in La Araucanía José Montalva that this year's census has been conducted, at least partially.

On Monday, July 1, in an attack on the railway line in Ercilla, claimed by the RMM, a banner with threats to the Chief of Staff was found, reading: "Minister (Carolina) Tohá: Without land, there will be no peace, and your announcements of progress will be in vain," alluding to the Ercilla Plan, which includes $32 billion in public investment. Following this attack, the Executive Branch announced it would file a complaint.

Upon learning of this decision, voices in La Araucanía agree in urging the Executive Branch to "take an active role," as by joining the investigations, it "can request measures," including intrusive procedures like potential raids.

They Suggest Using Drones

For lawyer Carlos Llancaqueo, president of the Aitué Intercultural Foundation, the Government "could request many measures, ranging from preventive access controls to the community and phone interceptions to aerial patrols with drones to determine internal movements."

He adds that in cases like the railway attack, "since it involves critical infrastructure, the Government could appeal to the State Security Law, which grants more investigative powers and tools." He also believes that involved parties could request the appointment of a preferred prosecutor for Temucuicui.

Former Governor of Cautín and director of the Rakizuam Indigenous Policy Center, Richard Caifal, argues that although "the Anti-Terrorism Law has not been applied for a long time, its use to dismantle groups linked to Temucuicui should not be ruled out," as it "provides other procedural actions." He claims that "in that community, the rule of law does not prevail." He warns that "a raid is always an option among intrusive measures, but the Government lacks the conviction even to label those who carry out attacks," and that "if it were acknowledged that terrorism is entrenched in that area, it would trigger police mobilization."

Deputy Miguel Mellado (RN) states that "in cases where the Government is a plaintiff, it can request measures such as search warrants. Considering the train attack, claimed by the RMM—which everyone knows is based in Temucuicui—the police must search for weapons and explosives and determine traceability."

In the legislator's view, "the state funds received by Temucuicui through subsidies, both from the National Institute for Agricultural Development (Indap) and employment programs, should also be investigated."

Last Friday, addressing the community's repeated refusal to participate in the census, Presidential Delegate Montalva pointed out the contradiction in receiving public funds: "Someone may reject the State, but when they receive road assistance, subsidies, or Indap support, then they like the State."

In this vein, Mellado sent a letter to Minister Tohá requesting details on the scope of the so-called Ercilla Plan, which will inject resources into the municipality where Temucuicui is located. "If the State is going to hire people from Temucuicui for public projects, they should at least provide information to clarify crimes occurring within their community," he argues.

Source: subscription edition ofdigital.mercurio.com