Are longstanding grievances fueling violence in Southern Chile?

In a shocking attack in Chile, armed gunmen ambushed and killed three police officers in the Biobío region, 400 kilometres south of Santiago. The assailants then set fire to their automobile, adding to the agony of the situation.

This incident, the latest in a series aimed at law enforcement, has once again highlighted long-standing grievances and simmering tensions in southern Chile.

The facts

Conflicts between Mapuche indigenous communities, landowners, and forestry businesses have occurred in the Biobío region and Chile’s Araucanía region to the south. The decades-long battle centres on land rights and ancestral territories.

The Mapuche, Chile’s biggest indigenous community, have long claimed that their lands were illegally seized by Spanish colonisers and then by the Chilean government. Despite numerous promises of restitution, huge portions of their ancestral lands remain in the hands of forestry businesses and farmers.

In reaction to the rising violence, the Chilean government declared a state of emergency and sent military personnel to provide security in the impacted areas. However, these steps have not stopped the wave of violence.

President Gabriel Boric, who came to power in 2022 on pledges to reduce tensions, is now facing a key test of his administration. Despite efforts to reduce the national homicide rate, attacks against police officers and other targets continue.

The arguments

One of the key drivers of the violence is the indigenous community’s growing distrust of authority. Despite government assurances, the Mapuche feel marginalised and ignored, which has led to an increase in violent attacks.

The Mapuche community’s frustrations stem from past injustices, with many people living in rural poverty while huge forestry businesses benefit off their ancestral grounds.

A significant minority

Chile’s indigenous population, especially the Mapuche, makes up roughly one-tenth of the country’s population. The Mapuche have a strong history of resistance, having fought against Spanish conquest for centuries.

Today, despite developments in Chilean society, the Mapuche continue to battle for recognition of their rights and land.

Calls for justice and resolution

Following the latest tragedy, President Boric has announced three days of national mourning and warned that the perpetrators will not go unpunished. He referred to the assailants as “terrorists” and personally expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

Interior Minister Carolina Tohá emphasised the necessity of continuing efforts to address the underlying causes of the dispute, even while the government pursues individuals guilty for the violence.

Addressing root causes is key

As Chile deals with the fallout from this horrible attack, it becomes clear that resolving the Mapuche community’s long-standing complaints is critical to creating sustainable peace. While security measures are vital, they cannot address the root causes.

To achieve true reconciliation and peace in southern Chile, there must be a determined effort to recognise and solve the Mapuche’s past injustices. Only then will the cycle of violence be ended, and a road to true harmony and justice be built.