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"An outrage": La Araucanía lawmakers condemn statements by acting Defense Minister over attacks

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Lawmakers from La Araucanía described the statements of acting Defense Minister Ricardo Montero as an "outrage," after he asserted that there is no place in the world where attacks do not occur.

The official visited the area this week to hold a meeting with the national defense leadership and provide an assessment of the state of emergency in effect in the region, revealing a 46.5% decrease in violent incidents.

A figure that offers some encouragement, leading Montero to open the door to a potential de-escalation of military presence. He also stated that there is no place in the world free from attacks.

"Zero attacks, let’s be realistic, it’s not going to happen that there are no violent incidents—they might take on different characteristics. But there is no region in the country, nor any region in the world, in any country, where there are no attacks linked to violent acts," the official stated.

Emphasizing that what they want is "to control this, primarily by condemning those responsible."

An "outrage"

Statements that sparked backlash in the region. Deputy and national president of Amarillos, Andrés Jouannet, called it an "outrage." "What we have in La Araucanía is terrorism (...). For Undersecretary Montero to say that is also shameful, because there are areas in the world with zero crime—I could explain it to him wherever he wants," the lawmaker commented.

Independent deputy Gloria Naveillán was harsher, suggesting Montero’s incompetence for the role. "I am astonished by the level of Ricardo Montero’s statements. I cannot believe someone in that position would say such stupid things, because no one can claim that attacks happen everywhere in the world to justify them occurring in this area too," the legislator stated.

National Renewal deputy Miguel Mellado hopes the acting minister will retract his statements. "I believe the acting minister is completely mistaken, and I hope he amends the state of emergency to put an end to the terrorist organizations plaguing the La Araucanía region," the lawmaker said.

Following the interagency meeting where these figures were presented, discussions turned to returning to "constitutional normality," noting that some indicators must first be measured while also focusing on the results the commission for peace and understanding may deliver.

Source:BiobioChile