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Reduction in Attacks in the Southern Macrozone: Forestry Guild Warns of Abnormal Normalcy

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“It’s an undeniable improvement, but it doesn’t reflect the full reality,” says the manager of Acoforag, warning about the 100,000 hectares controlled by radical groups.

The Association of Forestry Contractors (ACOFORAG) reported that attacks recorded in the Southern Macrozone decreased by 35% in 2024, dropping from 40 incidents in 2023 to 26 last year.

Although this decline is partly attributed to the effect of the State of Emergency in the Biobío and La Araucanía regions, the guild warns that this reduction does not reflect the complete reality of the forestry sector.

René Muñoz Klock, manager of Acoforag, stated that “the decline has clear explanations, mainly the presence of the State of Emergency and, unfortunately, the fact that many contractors have stopped operating in productive areas due to insecurity.” “It’s an undeniable improvement, but it remains an abnormal normalcy,” he added.

CAPTURED AREAS AND PRODUCTIVE LIMITATIONS

Muñoz Klock detailed that around 100,000 hectares in Biobío and La Araucanía remain under the control of radical groups, preventing access and the development of forestry activities.

“We’re not working in all possible areas due to the risks, and that inevitably reduces the reported incidents,” he explained.

The guild leader called on the State to intensify efforts to reclaim these territories. “The government cannot settle for the current figures. It’s necessary to intervene in areas known to be operated by armed groups,” urged Muñoz.

ABNORMAL NORMALCY

While the State of Emergency has been effective in reducing violent incidents, the contractors' representative warned that this measure has not resolved the root problem. “Authorities focus on the numbers but fail to consider that large areas remain off-limits due to fear of new attacks,” he criticized.

Recent attacks in Biobío and La Araucanía demonstrate that “the groups are still present, even if the numbers have decreased,” emphasized Muñoz Klock. “We don’t just want fewer attacks; we want them to disappear completely,” he stressed.

A CALL TO ACTION

The manager of Acoforag insisted on the need to enforce the Rule of Law in the Southern Macrozone through political will and concrete actions. “Intervention is needed in sectors identified by the population and authorities as areas dominated by terrorist groups,” he stated.

Muñoz concluded by urging authorities to “go beyond the numbers and guarantee conditions that allow productive activity without risks.” “We cannot settle for this apparent normalcy,” he finalized.

Source:La Tribuna