Chile: Indigenous resistance group reportedly stages arson attack in Vilcun, Oct. 20

Event

Authorities in Chile's La Araucania Region are investigating an arson attack that took place in the town of Vilcun early Oct. 20. The attack resulted in the complete destruction of a piece of heavy construction equipment, with the perpetrators having left a note demanding the withdrawal of federal troops from lands claimed by the indigenous Mapuche as their homeland. The note was signed "The Mapuche National Liberation." Vilcun is located about 33 km (21 miles) northeast of the city of Temuco, the La Araucania regional capital.

Context

Vilcun is in the area recently declared to be under a state of emergency due to attacks by militant organizations that claim to defend the homeland of the indigenous Mapuche ethnic group. The perpetrators' demand for a troop withdrawal is likely a reference to the recent mobilization of government forces in the area under the state of emergency decree. The attack does bear all the hallmarks of an action taken by Mapuche resistance groups, with such incidents often consisting of acts of arson targeting assets associated with the construction and forestry industries, as well as attacks on Christian churches.

A number of small radical Mapuche groups carry out attacks in the area, the largest of which is the Territorial Resistance Authorities (Organos de Resistencia Territorial, ORT), the armed wing of the Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco (CAM). Other groups include Weichan Auka Mapu (roughly "Struggle in the Rebellious Territory”) and the Lavkenche Mapuche Resistance (Resistencia Mapuche Lavkenche, RML). RML is particularly violent, having launched several armed attacks on police convoys with the clear intent of killing their targets, rather than merely causing property damage.