The Carabineros have made a major breakthrough in the murder investigation of three police officers in southern Chile. On Sunday, three suspects were arrested in the area where the massacre occurred on Saturday. This incident was the worst in recent history for the institution and has shocked the country. The investigations are focusing on radicalized Mapuche sectors as the alleged perpetrators of the incident, although the government has not ruled out other leads.
In a bid to bring justice to the victims and their families, President Gabriel Boric has labeled the crime a “terrorist attack” and vowed to use all legal tools available to ensure those responsible face maximum punishment. The town of Cañete, where the massacre took place, is located about 500 kilometers south of Santiago. The attack occurred as part of a long-standing conflict over land between violent sectors of the Mapuche community and state forces.
The intense police operation leading to the triple arrest took place in Cañete, known for frequent clashes between violent sectors of the Mapuche community and state forces. The identities of the suspects were not reported at this time. However, it is known that many residents in Araucania are frequently involved in violent conflicts with state forces over issues such as land ownership and mining rights.
This week also saw a court find Hector Llaitul guilty of various charges related to his involvement in attacks against authority figures by armed groups operating within Araucania’s territory. Llaitul was sentenced up to 25 years imprisonment for his crimes. In response to this incident, government officials have announced that they will file a complaint against those responsible for tripling murder case seeking harshest penalties possible for these crimes.
The area where this attack took place has been under emergency status since May 2022 due to escalating violence by armed groups operating within its territory. As such, this incident serves as a stark reminder that despite increased security measures put in place by authorities, there is still much work that needs to be done to address ongoing conflicts between various communities and state forces within Chile’s borders
