Mapuche communities mobilize to reclaim land
Several Mapuche communities have begun to reclaim traditional lands in Araucania, central Chile.
The reclamation began on July 23, about 2 weeks after the government of Michelle Bachelet refused to sit down with a group of Mapuche activists and talk about their concerns as Indigenous People.
The activists had traveled 680 km to meet with Bachelet, having already waited for weeks to hear from from Araucania’s governor about establishing a dialogue .
Before heading home, the group left Bachelet a letter, stating they would take action unless the govenrment addressed their concerns.
On July 23, the Mapuche began to occupy properties they identify as part of their traditional lands, including one held by a logging company. Roadblocks have also been set up in at least 5 different areas in Araucania.
The so-called leftist government finally decided to respond—with violence. The police were sent in to protect the logging company and evict the Mapuche – a “violent occupying force” as far as the government is concerned. “Both Mapuche and police were injured in the clashes” that followed, says IPS News.
Several other attacks against the Mapuche have also been reported.
Last week, the paramilitary group “Hernan Trizano Commando” also came forward and publicly threatened to blow up and “disappear from the world” several Mapuche leaders involved in the reclamation, starting August 3.
“In response, Senator Alejandro Navarro, the presidential candidate of a new political party, the Movimiento Amplio Social (MAS – Broad Social Movement) announced… that he would file a lawsuit invoking the anti-terrorism law against the paramilitary group,” IPS continues.
The government itself does not appear to be taking any formal action against this immediate threat. Instead, they are emboldening the vigilante group by claiming the Mapuche effort is nothing more than “violent actions” led by a small minority: seven of Chile’s 2,800 indigenous communities.
Juan Carlos Curinao, a Mapuche “Lonco” or Chief, responded to the claims in a recent interview with IPS.Curinao said that the mobilization is in fact led by 40 Loncos, who together represent every Mapuche subgroup.
He also said that the reclamation is non-violent. “We don’t carry weapons to go around hurting non-indigenous settlers, we are fighting for our culture. It is the state that has attacked us, shooting at us.”
“If I occupy property, it’s not violence; I am reclaiming my territory,” he added.
While “there is no solution in sight”—-in large part because the government refuses to abide by international law and sit down with the Mapuche—there’s a small chance that things will turn for the better this week. The Senate has announced that it will hold a special session on Wednesday, Aug. 5 to discuss “the security situation that is affecting the region of Araucanía.”
Updates in English:www.mapuche.nl. Updates in Spanish: www.observatorio.cl
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Another Peru situation in Chile huh? ok then,I have stated time and time again that the police and military are supporting and defending the destroyers against the protectors well a logging company is sure a destroyer huh?This sickens me,will be looked into this.Many blessing and much support to the Mapuche people brave and just defenders of the earth.
President Obama’s decision to move US troops into Colombia, while distasteful to Latin America’s new democracies, is perhaps the edge of the wedge to be used in forcefully dividing neoliberal states from their indigenous nations. Leaders like Bachelet may have stood behind Morales when it came to US-sponsored assassination attempts, but they are not likely to oppose North American corporations assisting them in plundering tribal peoples. As Obama himself has demonstrated, to be pro-corporate is, by definition, to be anti-indigenous.
…but they are not likely to oppose North American corporations assisting them in plundering tribal peoples. As Obama himself has demonstrated, to be pro-corporate is, by definition, to be anti-indigenous.
Painfully true, Jay. They’re like nuage Barbarians. A little “too willing” to club us… But the definition can change–that is, the relationship between Indigenous Nations and Nations States–as long as we’re willing to do what needs to be done to change it. That means bringing change on the cultural level. Everything stems from there.
Agreeable Ahni not only corporations but governments must learn to work with our tribal brothers and sisters all over the world.I feel they understand the importance of this and if not i feel sorry for them.I still have faith in Obama Jay i have been monitoring his presidentency closely if i feel he sides with big business over his tribal kin i will turn against him but otherwise i feel he could help in this world i pray i’m correct on this,for our tribal people need allies in world leadership we shall see.