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Acoforag: "It is not appropriate for an industry to have to arm itself; security must be guaranteed by the State"
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René Muñoz, manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors (Acoforag), opened a new edition of the program "Conversando con la Acoforag" reflecting on the violence affecting the sector. The leader recalled the murder of 60-year-old Manuel León Urra and the serious injuries suffered by his colleague César Osorio, events that occurred last weekend in the La Araucanía region.
This was compounded by the burning of five forestry machines on the route connecting Carahue and Nueva Imperial. The incident led the Ministry of Public Security to invoke the Anti-Terrorism Law, a measure Muñoz deemed necessary to underscore the severity of the attacks.
A "Tugged" Sector
"The forestry sector is being tugged from all sides. The industry is resentful due to prices and low demand, but that is cyclical and we know how to withstand it. What we cannot withstand is armed violence that exposes our workers," stated Muñoz.
The leader emphasized that working conditions in rural areas make it impossible to replicate security schemes typical of urban environments. "You cannot fence off or fill a forest with cameras. It is not about asking a worker to defend himself against four people armed with war rifles. That would be madness," he added.
"Security is the State's Responsibility"
Muñoz insisted that it is not appropriate for forestry companies to arm themselves or spend resources under unviable conditions. "Public security must be provided by the State; it is in the Constitution: the right to life, integrity, work, and free movement. That is the demand we are making," he emphasized.
He recalled that over the past 12 years, 513 attacks have been recorded, averaging four per month. Additionally, the high intentionality of summer forest fires exceeds 50%, a figure he described as "a global anomaly."
Criticism of State Management
In his analysis, the Acoforag manager criticized the lack of conviction from governments in confronting terrorism and organized crime in the southern macrozone. "Everyone knows there are enclaves with drugs, arms trafficking, and stolen vehicles, but the police do not enter because they would be met with gunfire. This leaves the State paralyzed and communities exposed," he asserted.
He also questioned the limitations in the rules of engagement that restrict the actions of the Armed Forces during states of exception. "If I am shot at with a shotgun, I cannot respond proportionally with another shotgun. The State must respond with greater force; otherwise, disorder takes hold, and everyone does as they please," he stated.
"Until When"
For Muñoz, the situation has reached a limit. "We are not complaining for the sake of complaining, but because it has been too many years enduring attacks and destruction. The question is, until when? Until when will forestry workers remain exposed to this level of violence?" he expressed.
Finally, he warned that the multi-million dollar spending on security without concrete results only deepens the sense of frustration in the sector. "We had a toothless state of exception that cost 23 billion pesos. If we look at the details, the results have been minimal," he concluded.
The full interview on our Youtube channel:
