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Commission for Peace Seeks to Resolve "Historical Debt" with Mapuche People

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• In the final stretch, the Commission for Peace faces the challenge of proposing reparations for 10 million hectares in urban areas, a complex task aimed at achieving equity for both Mapuche and non-Mapuche people.

The Commission for Peace and Understanding, led by co-chair and Senator Francisco Huenchumilla, is in a decisive phase to address one of the thorniest issues in the La Araucanía region: the restitution of 10 million hectares of land that currently comprise urban areas and historically belonged to the Mapuche people.

With a two-month deadline to present its recommendations, the commission must not only find a fair reparations formula for the Mapuche but also for the non-Mapuche residents of these cities.

Senator Huenchumilla has acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge, calling it a critical point due to the nature of the "historical debt" to the Mapuche people, whose lands were forcibly taken. The commission's task is to devise a plan that, without undoing existing cities, offers appropriate and respectful compensation aligned with Mapuche history and culture.

According to the co-chair, reparations could take various forms and should not be mistaken for mere monetary compensation. The commission is exploring options beyond land swaps, seeking creative and equitable solutions. Although the process has faced delays due to budget laws and other legislative obligations, the proposals are expected to be ready for submission to the President of the Republic and Congress by late November.

This effort represents a significant step toward reconciliation and recognition of the rights and history of the Mapuche people, as well as an attempt to heal past wounds with solutions that look toward the region's shared future.