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Land restitution is the main sticking point: Tensions within the Peace Commission days before delivering report to Boric

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With just days left before the deadline to submit its report to President Gabriel Boric, the Commission for Peace and Understanding is navigating a complex scenario.

The body formed to propose a solution to the Mapuche conflict has had to work against the clock.

Additionally, uncertainty lingers among the commissioners, as they predict no agreement will be reached, requiring a new extension to achieve a consensus that could ease the historic tensions in the Southern Macrozone.

Two days before the deadline to deliver the final report to the President, drafting a document with cross-cutting agreements among the commissioners has yet to begin, despite extensive sessions, including weekends.

Another question is how the document will be presented. It remains undecided whether the report will be handed to President Boric personally or if a ceremony will be held to mark the conclusion of the commission, which has been operating for just over a year and seven months.

On this matter, commissioner and president of the Malleco Farmers' Association, Sebastián Naveillán, stated, "Today we are undoubtedly in a complex scenario. We are approaching January 31, the date we had to deliver the final report. There are certainly critical sticking points that have complicated the discussion. But obviously, we will continue working until the last day."

For Naveillán, the biggest sticking point in the discussion is the formula for land restitution. In this regard, he admitted that what has delayed the debate is "especially the land issue, which is complex and difficult because, obviously, this depends on the future of Chile's southern regions."

"I personally submitted a letter to all commissioners requesting an extension because I prefer to take more time to reach a good agreement that does not mortgage the south of Chile or its future," Naveillán emphasized.

Adding to this, another commissioner, Senator Carmen Gloria Aravena (Republican Party), also submitted a letter formally requesting an extension from the co-chairs of the commission, Alfredo Moreno and Francisco Huenchumilla, as well as the executive secretary, Víctor Ramos.

In this context, Naveillán commented, "The senator and I are the two who requested an extension under the same reasoning. We are pressed for time and do not want to rush a bad agreement just to meet a deadline. I believe Chile is tired of bad agreements or halfway solutions."

According to the president of the Malleco Farmers' Association, "The issue of untitled lands, which is under discussion, is complex. We are willing to have that discussion, to talk, to put our points on the table, but we must always ensure that private property is respected, that the rule of law is upheld, and that no decision we make mortgages the future of Chile or any citizen in the south. These are the basic rules for reaching a good agreement."

Regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement before January 31, Naveillán said, "I see it as extremely complex. I insist, I believe we must work toward good agreements, not mediocre ones. I think Chile as a whole is tired of half-measures, and I would rather take more time to reach a unifying agreement that looks to Chile's future."

For his part, Senator Francisco Huenchumilla (DC), who co-chairs the commission, stated, "There is not much I can add since the Commission is at a critical point in its final decision, which must be made this week."

On the possibility of reaching consensus, the senator added, "The issue is not easy, and I hope we can resolve the critical sticking points."

Meanwhile, Gloria Callupe, a commission member and head of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs at the Biobío Regional Government, told Diario El Sur, "We are in crucial days for the commission. Working intensely many hours a week to reach a cross-cutting and reasonable agreement for all groups."

"The commission must deliver its recommendations in the remaining days and hours to meet the January 31 deadline. It is essential that the public, economic groups, and Mapuche society know that there have been significant advances, perhaps more than expected," the commissioner highlighted.

She added, "All commissioners today are aware that this is a historic conflict, one that spans decades, and that is why it is key to chart a path toward a resolution that is just but realistic. Today, we have solid evidence on the state of the lands, and we will deliver a document to the President that quantifies the demand with precise data, allowing us to build viable solutions."

Specifically, the lands in question span at least four regions of the country: Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos. A total of 358,000 hectares would need to be restituted. This does not include the so-called "ancestral lands" claimed by Indigenous communities, which would significantly increase the hectares under consideration for restitution.

In this regard, Naveillán mentioned, "We already have the land registry requested by the President under the decree. That is ready; we know the hectares involved, and now comes the discussion and the different solutions we want to propose within the commission. That is part of the internal debate" they will have in the coming days, as commissioners were called to meet on Thursday, January 30, and Friday, January 31.

Support from the Council of Lonkos

Last Sunday, the Council of Lonkos of Wallmapu, one of the most influential Mapuche organizations in La Araucanía, endorsed the work of the Commission for Peace and Understanding. In a statement, they said, "The Council of Lonkos of the region wishes to express its recognition of the serious and dedicated work carried out by the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding."

It is worth noting that their leader, Luis Huincache, lonko of Imperial, was one of the strongest opponents of former President Sebastián Piñera's government. He is also the founder of Radio Aukinko, one of the main communication channels for Mapuche communities. Through this medium, ideas from the Arauco Malleco Coordinator (CAM) have even been disseminated, as reported by El Mercurio.

Despite this, the organization's stance today is different, as they have supported the commission's work in their statement: "We have witnessed a deep and committed effort by the commissioners, who have shown a genuine willingness to listen and address the voices of communities across nearly all provinces of the four regions."

"The commissioners have acted with deference and respect toward our people, always maintaining a moderate and balanced attitude, without creating upheaval or false expectations. This discreet approach reflects an authentic commitment to delivering the country a serious, responsible, and viable proposal, in line with the mandate received from the President of the Republic," the organization emphasized.

They also proposed "holding permanent dialogues for social engagement, based on the proposal of the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding." They added, "Trust must be established so as not to lose this opportunity to take another step forward."

Clashes within the commission

It is worth noting that tensions are not only due to the land restitution debate. Some commissioners have also been involved in clashes. This week, Senator Francisco Huenchumilla (DC) stated that to reach consensus within the commission, "there is a lack of willingness from forestry companies, farmers, and understanding from certain sectors."

In response, Naveillán told the Christian Democrat: "This is a problem we did not create; the Chilean State did. In 30 years of Indigenous law, we have lost over 220,000 hectares, many of which were ceded under pressure from Mapuche communities."

"We will continue working toward a solution that includes all inhabitants, always remembering that all Chilean citizens have the same rights and duties. As the agricultural sector, we are committed to a solution that does not sacrifice the south of Chile. Are you willing to mortgage it?" concluded the president of the Malleco Farmers' Association.

Source:Emol.com