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Forestry Contractors Emphasize Part of Araucanía Territory is "Held by Terrorist Groups"

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• Authorities seek to reschedule the exhumation of Pablo Marchant's body, hindered by gunfire, while industry groups demand greater military intervention.

The Regional Prosecutor's Office of La Araucanía, led by acting prosecutor Alberto Chiffelle, has reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the exhumation of the body of Pablo Marchant, a member of the Arauco Malleco Coordinating Committee, whose initial procedure was interrupted by gunfire. In light of this scenario, agricultural and forestry associations are demanding expanded authority for military forces in the area, including the possibility of armed confrontations to regain control of the estate where Marchant is buried.

"It is expected that this time the police will be able to conduct the exhumation," René Muñoz, leader of the forestry contractors' association, told Radio Cooperativa, warning that this is "a territory held by these terrorist groups, and without the rule of law functioning, what happened last time occurs."

Meanwhile, Sebastián Naveillán, president of the Victoria-Malleco farmers' association, has expressed his hope that those responsible for the gunfire will be identified and brought to justice, reiterating that no one is above the law.

Pablo Marchant died on July 9, 2021, during a confrontation with Carabineros on land owned by Forestal Mininco. His body was buried in an illegal cemetery located between the communes of Lumaco and Carahue. Marchant's mother has requested the exhumation, which is considered crucial for the ongoing judicial investigation.

Chiffelle has stated that efforts are underway to replan the procedure, seeking strategies to ensure the necessary security for its execution. Although no specific date has been provided, the operation is expected to involve Carabineros and the Army, which is already in the region under the constitutional state of emergency in effect in the Southern Macrozone.