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Forestry Industry in the Crosshairs: 6 of the 8 Attacks in December Have Targeted This Sector

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Since the origin of the Arauco Malleco Coordinator (CAM) and the radical groups operating in the south almost 30 years ago, they have made it their mission to target the forestry industry as one of their main objectives. So much so that in 2019, the CAM published a book describing their "incendiary actions" and admitting they are "sabotages" primarily directed against forestry companies, "planned" and executed by small groups with "greater political-military preparation."

And although the activity of radical groups has diminished since the state of exception came into effect, this December already totals eight violent incidents, six of which have been directed against forestry activity.

At the beginning of December, the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma) reported an intentional fire in a Forestal Arauco forest. This is in addition to the burning of three vehicles dedicated to this activity, which were set on fire on roads between December 11th and 20th. Meanwhile, in the week just concluded, El Líbero's Violence and Impunity Indicator recorded the burning of three trucks in Nueva Imperial, as well as an attack on forestry brigade members who were carrying out preventive work in Curanilahue.

The Association of Forestry Contractors A.G. (Acoforag) reported that they filed a complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO) for non-compliance with Convention 187, concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health by the State of Chile. The appeal was filed on July 15, 2025, and on December 22nd, the ILO accepted the complaint.

"It is the duty of this Association to ensure that the State of Chile complies with the conventions it signs and, as a priority, to ensure that the conditions in which forestry workers labor are safe and they are not exposed to violent attacks that endanger their physical and psychological integrity, as is happening today in the Southern Macrozone," they state in a communiqué.

René Muñoz, manager of Acoforag, tells El Líbero that in 2024 and 2025 they have suffered the same number of attacks: 26 in each of these years. Last year, 91 pieces of equipment were destroyed, and this year the count is at 72.

Regarding the motivations for filing this complaint, he states that "what we hope is that the State finally understands that it must comply with the conventions it signs. This is because occupational safety and health policy must be agreed upon, it must be a realistic policy that is applied. Today, we do not see the State guaranteeing the safety of workers and forestry contractors. That is, there are no tools that guarantee us that. And that is what we are asking for. That the State guarantees us that we can work freely in a peaceful environment and that, ultimately, the lives and health of workers are not being attacked."

In an interview with El Líbero, the president of Corma, Rodrigo O'Ryan, stated that "we have seen in past seasons that they shoot at helicopters, brigade members who have been intimidated on their way to work, and that is truly an unacceptable situation. In addition to what happened in Curanilahue, they attacked a water tanker truck from the Fire Department in the Maule Region, which was stoned while on its way to refill water to continue fighting a fire. Brigade members are people who risk their lives day by day to save us, and for such immoral people to go and attack them when they are going about their tasks is truly unacceptable."

Attacks

A violent incendiary attack was recorded on the afternoon of December 23rd in the rural Peleco Catrianchi sector, on the border between Nueva Imperial and Chol Chol, La Araucanía Region, where armed, hooded individuals intimidated forestry workers and burned three trucks.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the attack occurred around 5:20 PM and affected vehicles belonging to the company Forestal Probosque Ltda., which was carrying out wood loading operations at the site. Two subjects with covered faces, carrying long firearms and wearing camouflage-type clothing, forced the drivers to move away, stole their cell phones, and then sprayed the trucks with an accelerant fluid to set them on fire.

During the victims' escape, at least one gunshot was heard, although the workers managed to take refuge in a safe place and no injuries were reported. No banners or claim elements were found at the site.

Forestry Brigade Members Attacked in Curanilahue

The other episode of violence recorded by El Líbero's Violence and Impunity Indicator occurred in the early hours of Thursday, December 25th, in the commune of Curanilahue, Biobío Region, where a night brigade from the Arauco company was intercepted and threatened by a group of hooded individuals while carrying out preventive patrol work.

The incident occurred around 4:30 AM near the Los Ríos Reserve and affected the BA-729 brigade, composed of workers from the contractor Working on Fire. According to the gathered information, six subjects with covered faces, carrying sticks and iron bars, positioned themselves in front of and to the sides of the vehicle in which the brigade members were traveling, intending to force them to stop. Faced with the risk, the personnel reduced speed and then accelerated to quickly leave the area, preventing the attack from being carried out.

Due to the team's quick reaction, no injuries or damage to equipment were reported, and the unit managed to return to its base. Subsequently, the company reported the incident to the Chilean Carabineros, activating a police operation in the area. The Government indicated that one of the hypotheses under investigation is the theft of firewood in the sector, which would explain the attempted intimidation.

Government Presents Bill to Compensate Victims of Violence

In another noteworthy event, the Government submitted to Congress a bill that establishes a legal framework for the recognition, qualification, and compensation of victims of violence "in the context of the intercultural and territorial conflict in the southern zone of the country."

The initiative responds to one of the recommendations of the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding, to address events that have occurred from 1990 to the present, in the regions of Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos.

Through a statement, they reported that "the bill proposes the creation of a commission responsible for qualifying victim status, the implementation of a program responsible for coordinating and executing care, support, and comprehensive reparation actions, and the establishment of an official registry to enroll those qualified as such by the technical body."

They explain that the bill "defines the concept of violence and broadens its scope beyond facts traditionally associated with so-called rural violence, also incorporating expressions of institutional violence, as well as impediments to free movement and the development of educational, economic, religious, or spiritual activities. These manifestations are based on diagnoses from both the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH) and those issued by the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding."

The initiative will begin its processing in the Senate.

Source:El Líbero