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Authorities Accused of Passivity in the Southern Macrozone

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It was past two in the morning in the Petrinco sector near Los Álamos. While workers from Forestal Arauco rested in a hostel, their trucks were burning, targeted by another arson attack.

Commissioner Sergio Acevedo of the Cañete Bripe explained that unknown individuals during the early hours had set fire to four trucks and a pickup truck belonging to Forestal Arauco.

The group of unknown individuals destroyed a pickup truck and four trucks at the location and left a banner, signed by the organic and territorial group Weichán Auka Mapu.

Pedro Vargas, mayor of Los Álamos, stated that this incident leaves families in the commune without a source of income and that the feeling of insecurity once again dominates during this time when "we want tourists to come and economic activity to thrive."

This was the first arson attack of 2025 in the province of Arauco, an incident that sparked immediate reactions.

René Muñoz, manager of Acoforag, argued that "we all know where these radical groups are. If there are 100,000 or 110,000 hectares of forests seized by these radical groups, then let's go after them."

Meanwhile, the president of Corma Biobío Ñuble, Alejandro Casagrande, added that institutions must function and put an end to a scourge that began over 25 years ago.

A challenge to which the government responded by pointing to the numbers and the arrests of members of territorial groups, such as the eleven individuals charged for the attack on the Grollmus mill, formally accused last December 16.

The presidential delegate of the Biobío Region, Eduardo Pacheco, indicated clear results in two areas. First, in the reduction of violent incidents, and second, in investigations that send a very clear message: there is no impunity in the province of Arauco. And that has been very evident—the facts speak for themselves.

For his part, Regional Governor Rodrigo Díaz stated that it is evident there are fewer criminal incidents now than in 2020, 2021, or even 2022.

Deputy Joanna Pérez said that here we must apply the full force of the law and no state of exception should be relaxed. Deputy Flor Weisse added that this is the sad reality that could lead to escalating violence if the government does not take immediate action.

For now, no arrests have been made. Under the instructions of the Public Ministry, the PDI is in charge of the efforts to locate the perpetrators of this terrorist attack that marked the beginning of 2025 in the southern macrozone.

Source:24Horas