14 Jul 2019 | 11:07 AM UTC
Chile: Mapuche leaders announce protests July 24 /update 1
Indigenous community members schedule to protest the death of youth in Temuco July 24; heightened security presence expected
Event
Members of the Mapuche community are slated to protest in Temuco on Wednesday, July 24, against the death of a youth by police. Exact locations and times of the protests were not immediately reported.
A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the protest. Clashes between police and protesters cannot be ruled out.
Context
The Mapuche community staged several demonstrations nationwide in late 2018 following the killing of the son of a prominent indigenous leader on November 14 by a special anti-terrorism unit. Mapuche, a group of indigenous peoples in south-central Chile, have along accused police forces of discrimination and abuse while the government blames some Mapuche groups for arson and attacks on government or church property. President Sebastián Piñera has taken a tougher stance and deployed the "Jungle Command" in June 2018, resulting in an escalation of tensions.
Advice
Individuals in Temuco are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized disruption and a heightened security presence in the event of any demonstrations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
