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Chile's President Sebastian Piñera
Photo: Esteban Felix / AP
They are said to have carried out arson attacks and attacks on the police - now, after clashes between security forces and the indigenous Mapuche in Chile, the emergency for southern areas of the country applies. President Sebastián Piñera proclaimed the measure in a speech. The military will support the police in parts of the Biobío and La Araucanía regions over the next two weeks. He ordered the dispatch of soldiers to take action against "the serious disturbance of public order."
In the areas mentioned, there were "repeated acts of violence related to drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime by armed groups," said Piñera.
In the southern areas there had been repeated arson attacks and clashes with the police in recent years.
"Very Serious Security Crisis"
The state of emergency should initially apply for two weeks.
Piñera's decision was made on October 12th - the day on which all of Latin America commemorates the "discovery" of America by the navigator Christopher Columbus.
For many indigenous people in particular, the seafarer is symbolic of the violent conquest and colonization of the continent.
The governor of La Araucanía, Luciano Rivas, welcomed the sending of the troops.
There is a "very serious security crisis" in the region, he told CNN Chile.
Political expert Lucía Dammert from the University of Santiago criticized Piñera’s decision.
The use of troops could even worsen the conflict, she warned in an interview with the AFP news agency.
Largest indigenous group in Chile
Radical groups of the Mapuche indigenous people are believed to be behind the repeated clashes.
The Mapuche are demanding the return of the land they consider to be their ancestral property and more autonomy from the Chilean state.
With 1.7 million members, they represent the largest indigenous group among the approximately 19 million inhabitants of the South American country.
17 people were injured and one woman was killed in a demonstration for the rights of indigenous peoples on Sunday in the capital Santiago.
mrc / AFP
