Security as a driver of forest growth

By Ignacio Vera Izquierdo, General Manager of Forestal Santa Blanca

The recent dismantling of a gang dedicated to timber theft in Ñuble —which resulted in 17 arrests and over $5 billion in seized assets— once again highlights a crucial issue for the sector's future: without security in the territories, there is no investment, no forest recovery, and no sustainable growth for small and medium-sized forestry industries.

“Organized crime not only threatens people's safety but also limits investment, employment, and development opportunities. Security is a basic condition for the forestry sector to grow on solid foundations,” says Ignacio Vera Izquierdo, General Manager of Forestal Santa Blanca.

The Security Plan promoted by the Government thus takes on a strategic dimension: it is not only about fighting crime but also about ensuring an environment that allows owners, contractors, and entrepreneurs to carry out their activities without constant threats.

This debate is especially relevant at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing a bill to promote forestry activity during the second half of the year. The initiative aims to encourage the reforestation of thousands of hectares affected by fires, promote new sources of financing linked to carbon credits, and particularly strengthen small and medium-sized producers.

“Any promotion policy will have limited reach if there is no safe environment for investment. Planting, managing, or recovering a forest is a long-term bet that requires legal certainty and institutional stability,” emphasizes Vera Izquierdo.

Minister Jaime Campos himself has warned that Chile is losing competitiveness compared to countries that offer better conditions for forestry investment. In this scenario, the opportunity is clear: to consolidate an agenda that combines security, forestry promotion, and territorial development.

“The operation in Ñuble shows that when the State acts decisively, it is possible to reclaim spaces for productive activity. The challenge now is to turn these results into a long-term policy that allows the forestry sector to grow sustainably again,” concludes the General Manager of Forestal Santa Blanca.