Two trucks set on fire in Victoria: new attack heightens security tensions in La Araucanía

A new incident of rural violence was recorded this Thursday in the La Araucanía region, after two trucks were set on fire at a forestry estate in the Victoria commune, a situation that once again strains the security landscape in the Southern Macrozone.

The attack occurred at kilometer 20 of Route R-570, specifically at the San Gregorio estate, on the road to the Tolhuaca Hot Springs. Police personnel arrived at the scene, confirming that at least two trucks providing services to the forestry company Comaco were completely destroyed by fire.

According to police information, workers present at the site reported that a group of hooded and armed individuals intimidated them with firearms before dousing the vehicles with an accelerant and setting them on fire.

Lieutenant Colonel Raúl Quintanilla, acting prefect of the Malleco Prefecture, explained that “the victims stated that individuals with covered faces proceeded to intimidate them with firearms, then, using an accelerant, set the vehicles on fire.”

As a result of ongoing investigations, traffic in the area had to be temporarily suspended. By order of the Prosecutor’s Office, specialized teams from Carabineros’ OS9 and Labocar were put in charge of the investigation to establish the sequence of events and find those responsible. So far, no arrests have been made.

Escalation of violence in La Araucanía

This new attack occurs on a particularly complex day for security in the Malleco province. Earlier, two Carabineros units were shot at in the Ercilla commune, an incident that later led to a large-scale police raid in the Temucuicui community.

Police personnel entered the community located in the rural area of Ercilla en masse, as part of an operation carried out following the armed attacks against police officers.

The string of violent events once again raised concern among productive unions and organizations linked to transportation and the forestry sector.

Unions demand concrete actions

Meanwhile, Acoforag expressed concern over the recurrence of arson attacks and questioned the effectiveness of the prevention measures implemented so far.

The organization warned that this new attack, occurring hours after the armed assault on Carabineros in Ercilla and the subsequent raid in Temucuicui, shows that “violent groups continue to operate with the capacity to act and move across different points in the region.”

Acoforag also urged authorities to explain why, despite the police deployment and the state of emergency in effect in the area, attacks against workers, machinery, and forestry companies continue to occur.

The National Confederation of Truck Owners (CNDC) called on the Government to strengthen security measures in the area.

“We ask the authorities to keep their word to put an end to violence. We cannot continue with the same situation,” the organization stated.

Meanwhile, Patricio Santibáñez, president of the Multigremial de La Araucanía, argued that there is “a resurgence of terrorist violence” and urged the Executive to adopt “additional measures,” along with a “much more offensive and preventive” attitude.

He also raised the need to create a special investigative unit aimed at “dismantling terrorism” in the Southern Macrozone.