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Mountainous Municipalities Demand Greater Security After Attack: "We Will Not Lower Our Arms"

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The president of the Association of Mountainous Municipalities of Biobío and mayor of Quilaco, Pablo Urrutia, expressed a categorical rejection of the attack on the Rucalhue hydroelectric plant, which occurred during the early hours of last Sunday.

The incident caused concern in nearby communities, particularly in the municipalities of Quilaco and Santa Bárbara, whose economies are closely tied to tourism development and local employment.

Regarding this, the president of the Association of Mountainous Municipalities of Biobío emphasized, "We condemn any act of violence that affects the community, our entrepreneurs, and neighbors."

Likewise, as an association, they urged authorities to halt the escalation of violence threatening both the development and peace of the territory.

In this context, Urrutia recounted that he had already warned the company in charge of the plant about the need to reinforce security at its facilities. "They cannot have just four guards protecting such a massive plant—it's insufficient," Mayor Urrutia stated.

He also recalled a previous incident in Quilaco where 15 machines were burned, which he had previously flagged as a warning sign. He stressed that the company's responsibility is not only to protect its investment but also to contribute to the safety of the territory.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT

For Urrutia, one of the main consequences of the attack in the area is the collateral damage it could inflict on the local economy.

The occurrence of such incidents, Urrutia argued, "directly affects our neighbors, their livelihoods, and tarnishes the territory's image," negatively impacting tourism—a sector where Quilaco has gained significant recognition as one of the few municipalities in the region with tourism certification.

"Seeing headlines about vandalism and violence in Santa Bárbara and Quilaco damages our image. We've worked hard to grow, and this sets us back," said the president of Amcordi.

MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE ASSOCIATION

In response to the situation, Urrutia stated that the Association of Mountainous Municipalities of Biobío has begun designing an action plan, including the installation of interconnected security cameras among its member municipalities.

He detailed that Quilaco already has a surveillance system that has significantly reduced crime and that they aim to replicate this model in Santa Bárbara, Alto Biobío, and other mountainous municipalities.

"The cameras alert us to everything—from a stolen car to someone abandoning a dog. That information goes straight to the police," the mayor explained.

This monitoring network also seeks to create a surveillance mirror with law enforcement to improve response capacity.

Additionally, the association is drafting a letter to the Regional Government and the company responsible for the project, requesting security support and funding to implement necessary measures.

Urrutia also called on citizens not to lose hope or retreat from the progress made. "We will not lower our arms. Quilaco, Santa Bárbara, and Alto Biobío will continue working toward a safe, prosperous, and respected territory," he emphasized.

Similarly, he reiterated the urgency for both the government and the company to ensure safe conditions for energy development without compromising local peace.

Source:La Tribuna