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Forestry Contractors Warn: Violence Remains at Same Level as in 2024 and 2023

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Wielding sticks and iron bars, a group of hooded individuals intercepted a vehicle transporting forestry brigade members.

The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. yesterday in an area near the Los Ríos Reserve, in the commune of Curanilahue, Biobío Region.

According to police reports, the attackers positioned themselves in front of and to the side of the vehicle with the intention of stopping and intimidating the brigade. Given the risk to the personnel, the vehicle quickly retreated from the remote rural area.

The incident resulted in no injuries or material damage, and the unit returned to its base.

The situation was reported to Carabineros (Chilean police), who launched an operation in the area.

Further south, in La Araucanía, a total of 26 arson attacks have been recorded during 2025, following one that destroyed three trucks inside a eucalyptus logging operation in Nueva Imperial.

The manager of the Forestry Contractors Association, René Muñoz, confirmed that this was the fourth attack recorded in December and that "it is a figure equal to that which occurred in the year 2024."

The leader accused that "when authorities consider the figures encouraging, the truth is that we contractors remain mired in the same violence as last year and very similar to that of 2023."

He also stated that "it is not possible to keep a sector, which is so important for the development of the region, in these conditions of permanent violence and insecurity that forestry workers, and small and medium-sized business owners are suffering."

The regional manager of the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma) Biobío-Ñuble, Margarita Celis, condemned what happened and stated that "this type of incident seriously endangers brigade members who carry out essential work for the protection of people and the territory."

"They are absolutely unacceptable," emphasized the executive.

The La Araucanía Multiguild Association indicated that "the current strategies, while they allowed for a decrease, since November there has been a resurgence of acts of violence and terrorism." The organization's president, Patricio Santibáñez, called for "a total change in attitude. The state of exception has been useful, but greater effectiveness is required for the detention of those responsible."

Source:El Mercurio