Authorities investigate killing in indigenous conflict area in southern Chile

A member of the Mapuche ethnic group died on Wednesday (3) in an incident with police and military forces in southern Chile.

The incident took place on a road near the municipality of Tirúa, which is currently in a state of emergency decreed by the government amid the growing violence that affects the so-called Macrozona Sul.

According to Chilean authorities, police and the navy were ambushed and attacked twice with firearms while patrolling the area.

Officers then began to deploy means of deterrence before using their weapons against attackers.

In a previous statement, the Bio Bio Regional Public Ministry said that the body of a man was taken to a health center in Tirúa with a gunshot wound.

Despite reporting the death of two people, the department said in a statement on Thursday (4) that the second person did not die, but was in serious condition and was admitted to the Regional Hospital of Temuco. Three other people were injured.

The Prosecutor’s Office also announced the arrest of three people for carrying a firearm and assaulting police officers.

Earlier this week, Chilean President Sebastian Piñera announced that he will ask Congress to extend the state of emergency, which affects four provinces in the Bio Bio and La Araucania regions; epicenter of the conflict with the Mapuche communities that for years have been demanding the return of their ancestral lands.

Critics of this measure point out that the decision only militarizes a deeper conflict.

In recent years, the reaction has multiplied in the region with the burning of houses, vehicles and machines as part of the conflict in an area with high tourism, wind and forestry potential.