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Pablo Marchant's Mother's Plea to the CAM: "I Ask You to Allow My Son's Body to Be Recovered"
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- On September 4 of this year, Miriam Gutiérrez received a devastating blow that complicated her efforts. That day, the team sent to conduct a feasibility assessment for exhuming the remains was shot at by masked assailants, forcing them to leave without completing the task.
Under a mild spring sun, Radio Biobío traveled to the coastal commune of Tomé in the Biobío Region to speak with Miriam Gutiérrez Vergara (51), the mother of Pablo Marchant Gutiérrez, the former member of the Arauco Malleco Coordinator (CAM) who was killed in a confrontation with Carabineros following an arson attack on July 9, 2021, in a forestry estate in Carahue, La Araucanía.
Miriam lives in a small apartment in the upper part of the commune, reached by winding up one of the main roads. This space, which she shares with her two children, is also the stage for the antics of Chuky and Princesa, her two cats who roam the premises with authority in our presence.
There, on a shelf against one of the walls, are dozens of photos of Pablo Marchant—the young man who, after studying at the Instituto Nacional, enrolled in Anthropology at the University of Concepción and began traveling to Alto Bío Bío. There, he learned about the complex struggles of resisting communities and was recruited by the CAM, never imagining that this fight would cost him his life.
"Pablo was a very restless, very intelligent young man, very bold, eager to learn everything. He chose to come here, to Concepción, with my parents. And I agreed because he’d be close to them and because he felt a need to move south—he no longer wanted to stay in Santiago," Miriam recounts.
Today, this mother and head of household is focused on a battle to uncover the truth about how her son was killed. To do so, she must exhume Pablo’s remains, currently buried on land under reclamation by the CAM in Pidenco, Lumaco, and conduct a new autopsy.
On September 4 of this year, Miriam Gutiérrez received a devastating blow that complicated her efforts. That day, the team sent to conduct a feasibility assessment for exhuming the remains was shot at by masked assailants, forcing them to leave without completing the task.
In this interview, Miriam shares part of her struggle to uncover the elusive truth about her son’s death and how she faces the new challenge of recovering his remains, buried on land guarded by the CAM.
-How did you find out Pablo was a member of the Arauco Malleco Coordinator (CAM)?
-I only learned after Pablo was killed, when I arrived at the Medical Legal Service and was told he belonged to the CAM. I didn’t know what the CAM was—I had no knowledge of the organization. I only knew Pablo helped communities there, as he told me. I accepted it because I believed, and still believe, reclaiming their lands is just. That’s when I learned he was part of the CAM.
-What do you remember from the day you learned of Pablo’s death?
-Earlier that day, I heard Ernesto had been killed—I knew he was Héctor Llaitul’s son and Pablo’s friend. I grew worried because I hadn’t heard from Pablo. I called him but never imagined he could be involved. I got no response. Later, I called his girlfriend, who also hadn’t heard from him. I spent the whole day like that—no word. At night, I went to sleep, and around 2 AM, I got a call saying it wasn’t Ernesto who’d been killed, but my son.
-How did you explain Pablo’s disappearances? Did he ever tell you he was involved with the CAM?
-No, Pablo always visited me, we were in constant contact. He’d say he was there, that he was fine, sometimes in different places. He never gave details about his activities—just that he was helping, plowing fields, doing farm work. I never had a clear picture of where he was. He’d say, "I’m here, Mom, I’m fine, don’t worry."
-How did you react when you learned your son belonged to an organization many label as terrorist or involved in violent acts in the southern macrozone?
-Honestly, given Pablo’s nature, it didn’t surprise me. He was always a fighter for social causes, hating injustice. I think in the CAM, he found a way to fight what he despised. Maybe it’s not the best way for some, but I knew my son—he’d never act against his principles, never kill. He fought for what was just.
-How do CAM leaders and his peers portray him?
-To me, my son has always been a source of pride—as a son, as a person. To them, he was a good kid, cooperative, humble, helpful, a dedicated fighter. I’ve only heard beautiful things about him, and I still hear how people speak of him.
-Did they call him a "waichafe" (warrior) of the organization?
-Yes, they claimed him as a waichafe. It doesn’t surprise me—Pablo always aimed to excel, stood out in everything he did.
-Do you resent Pablo for never telling you he belonged to this organization?
-No, I don’t resent him. I understood his reasons—his fight against injustice there. Maybe I wish he’d told me more, but I also think he was trying to protect us as a family. He knew it would worry me, knowing he was risking his life.
-As a mother, do you legitimize this struggle?
-I understand there’s great injustice in La Araucanía, especially for Mapuche communities. Their lands have been taken, they live in unfair poverty. I agree with fighting for territory, for what’s theirs. There are different organizations, different methods—I can’t speak for all, but I know their cause is just.
-Who do you hold responsible for Pablo’s death?
-To me, the material responsibility lies with Carabineros—they killed my son. I can’t say if the CAM is involved; that’s for investigators. But I know clearly who shot him.
-Why are Pablo’s remains buried on land reclaimed by the CAM?
-During his last visit, Pablo told me if anything happened to him, he wanted to stay in that area. He didn’t specify where but said they’d tell me. At the time, I refused—I gave him reasons, and he understood. He said, "You’re right, Mom, I leave it to you." When I arrived after his death, many approached me about where to bury him. They suggested Pidenco in Lumaco.
I didn’t know the place. They explained it was reclaimed land. I asked if there were documents in case authorities removed the body. They assured me papers existed, from the forestry company.
That eased my mind—if things changed, the documents would surface. I agreed to leave him there because I understood it was what he wanted.
-Why are you requesting the exhumation?
-Because there are irregularities in the case. Our family has spent three years seeking answers. The Medical Legal Service’s report states Pablo died from a single gunshot to the head. But many claim he was shot multiple times—that raises doubts.
-What happened the day you went to Lumaco to assess the site?
-This was discussed with the lof (community) from the start. I said I’d pursue the truth about my son’s death despite contradictions. They agreed to support me. Héctor [Llaitul] from the CAM also pledged support.
-Héctor Llaitul?
-Yes, he promised cooperation. They don’t believe in Chilean justice, but he said they’d help because Pablo deserved truth and justice. I kept them updated throughout the investigation, including the exhumation request. They initially agreed, saying they wouldn’t interfere.
-Was the Lumaco visit meant to exhume his remains?
-No, it was for a feasibility report. The exhumation would come later. I explained this.
-What went wrong?
-When we arrived, they blocked the entrance. I asked why—they said the lof, the CAM, and his comrades refused to let Pablo’s body be removed. We argued because this had already been agreed upon.
-Was it tense?
-It was upsetting, unpleasant. After three years, we’d built good relations—no discord. This felt bitter. I couldn’t understand why they’d do this after our agreement. I wanted to see Pablo, but they said only I could go up—yet the path was blocked by fallen trees.
-How did this leave you feeling?
-Disillusioned, sad, angry, heartbroken. Three years of pain, of not knowing what truly happened that day. No one from the CAM has explained. After the shooting at the feasibility team, no one contacted me—no lof, no CAM. Those ties are broken.
-Do you feel unsafe now?
-I don’t know if I’d be safe. I don’t want another tense moment. I need my son’s body moved so I can visit him peacefully. I can’t go now as I used to—I can’t.
-Had you ever faced issues visiting Pablo before?
-Never. Communication was good—they knew about my efforts. They shared concerns about disturbing his rest spiritually but understood my search for truth.
-Has this changed your view of the CAM?
-No, I still see their struggle as valid—it’s what Pablo fought for. But not all members may share his ideals.
Yet it’s clear something shifted. They demand justice for their prisoners but deny it for Pablo. I don’t understand their stance—they reject institutions yet expect fairness selectively.
-What is the CAM to you now?
-An organization fighting for Mapuche rights and land. That’s it.
-Who failed here? You said CAM’s leader had committed to supporting you.
-Yes, exactly. That’s why I say I’ve had no explanation from the
CAM. No one has told me what happened. Maybe not all agreed with the decision.
I don’t understand why his comrades oppose my quest for justice. If they explained, I might comprehend—but I’ve heard nothing.
-Has your view of Héctor Llaitul changed?
-Yes. His talk of justice seems hollow. If prisoners demand fair trials but he won’t support my fight, his words ring false.
-What do you hope happens now?
-I hope they allow authorities to recover Pablo’s body for autopsy, to uncover the truth.
-Isn’t it strange that the organization he belonged to now "holds his remains hostage"?
-Yes, in a way. I’m not barred explicitly, but after what happened, I won’t go. I don’t want confrontations, to re-explain everything. I can’t just visit my son freely.
-When did you last visit his grave?
-July 9, the third anniversary of his death.
-How has this situation affected you?
-Badly. I’m disillusioned with the lof and parts of the CAM. All I want now is the exhumation, the truth. If they hailed Pablo as a "waichafe," why deny him justice? It’s incomprehensible.
-Do you feel betrayed?
-Yes.
-Why?
-Three years of painful work—not just mine. Many stand behind me, contributing financially, attending events. This can’t be discarded. My family deserves the truth.
-An audio surfaced where Héctor Llaitul spoke poorly of Pablo. As a mother, how do you see this?
-At first, I contextualized it—organizations have hierarchies. Now, I’m unsure. Much remains unexplained. No one clarified that audio’s context. After three years, I still lack answers.
-Does this raise suspicions?
-It tangles things further. Did they truly value Pablo, or was he used? These doubts linger.
-Do you feel your son was exploited?
-Now, I feel his image is being used.
-How?
-I’m not entirely sure, but the CAM’s prominence in this debate suggests political leverage.
-For publicity?
-Politically, yes.
-Are Pablo’s remains a political bargaining chip?
-I don’t know their motives, but it seems political. They initially supported justice for Pablo—now they block it. It’s confusing.
-With Héctor Llaitul’s conviction and Pablo’s case, how do you view the CAM’s leader?
-I’d rather not speak of him now.
-Did you visit him in prison?
-Yes, several times.
-How many?
-Five or six since his arrest.
-Have you visited recently?
-No.
-How long has it been?
-A while.
-Why not?
-I haven’t been able to. There are things I don’t accept or share. My focus is justice for Pablo.
-Have authorities supported you, Miriam?
-Never. This fight has relied on Pablo’s friends and public help. I’ve followed legal channels with a lawyer, but authorities haven’t assisted. Three years seeking justice is too long.
-Is this because Pablo was in a radical group?
-Possibly. Mapuche struggles are stigmatized. Cases like his drag on—forestry interests likely influence this.
-If you could go back and Pablo told you he’d join the CAM, would you allow it?
-It wasn’t my choice—he was an adult. I’d warn him of the risks, oppose it for his safety, but ultimately, he’d decide.
-Knowing what you do now, would you let another child join the CAM?
-No.
-Why?
-I won’t risk another child’s life. Not after this pain.
-Do you legitimize the CAM’s armed struggle?
-I never saw Pablo with a weapon. Legitimacy depends—there’s state terrorism too. I won’t generalize; I’m not part of any group.
-Some call the CAM a terrorist organization. Do you?
-No.
-Why not?
-The CAM hasn’t killed anyone. They fight capitalism, reclaim land—no statements claim they’ve murdered.
-You mentioned political use of Pablo’s remains. Does the CAM exploit youths like him?
-I can’t generalize. I only know Pablo’s case feels politically exploited now. The full context requires investigation.
-If Pablo’s body is exhumed, will you return it to Pidenco?
-Not under these circumstances. I have no security or peace leaving him there now.
-So you’d choose a cemetery?
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