Sponsors
“We Would All Like the State of Emergency Not to Exist, But We Must Eliminate the Causes”
Sponsors
“We would all like the state of emergency not to exist, but to achieve that, we must first eliminate the causes that led to its implementation, and that hasn’t happened,” says Patricio Santibáñez, president of the Multigremial of La Araucanía, commenting on the remarks of the outgoing Navy Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Juan Andrés de la Maza. The business leader emphasizes that the measure “must continue until all terrorist groups are dismantled.”
On Sunday, in an interview with “El Mercurio,” Admiral De la Maza stated that “we cannot remain in a state of emergency permanently,” as it is “an enormous strain on the institution,” and that “for the incoming Commander-in-Chief, hopefully, this will end.”
Meanwhile, the manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors, René Muñoz, asserts that “it does not seem advisable to think that the state of emergency could be lifted in the medium term, considering that armed groups remain active and carrying out surprise attacks.” In his view, “in the words of the Navy Commander-in-Chief, I also see frustration regarding what these groups are still doing—ultimately, they continue to operate, they are not dismantled, and the Armed Forces have been dedicated to patrolling roads, which does not address the root of the problem, which remains unresolved.”
While highlighting the work of the Armed Forces in implementing the extraordinary measure and the reduction in violent incidents, Santibáñez recalls the April attack on the Rucalhue project, “the most destructive in 30 years.” That action, he argues, “demonstrates that terrorist groups continue to carry out attacks, and this was especially serious because even the Chinese ambassador told the government that Chile was not safe for investments.”
In turn, the president of the Association of Victims of Rural Violence, Alejo Apraiz, states that “while it is true that the Armed Forces are meant to protect our borders and free us from external threats, they also have this internal mission, as mandated by the Constitution.” He also calls on the current and future government “to dismantle terrorist organizations, because only then would this measure no longer be necessary,” but clarifies that “it must remain in place until we are sure these groups have ceased operations.”
Tohá: “At the Limit of Deliberation”
In a primary debate yesterday, former Interior Minister and Social Democrat (SD) candidate Carolina Tohá said she held a “high opinion” of the admiral but questioned his words: “He is at the limit of deliberation, and he must be called to order, because it is not appropriate for the Armed Forces to be saying when there should or shouldn’t be a state of emergency.”
Acting Government Spokesperson Minister Aisén Etcheverry stated that the Armed Forces “are perfectly aware of their non-deliberative role, and this has been the case during this administration.” She said the state of emergency “is a tool that will be used as long as necessary and for as long as necessary” and noted that “evaluations are constantly made, and it is submitted for congressional approval, as will happen this week.”
Source:El Mercurio
