Mapuche conflict

{{further|Arauco War|Occupation of Araucanía}}

File:Lautaro - Mindef.jpg, a military leader of the Arauco War]]

The conflict has a historical background in the Arauco War, which varied in intensity and had several peace periods because of agreements between the Hispanic Monarchy and Mapuche tribes. During this time, the Mapuche people, better known as the Reche (Ethnonym meaning: authentic human being) at this time, were divided into three sub-groups living in and around the region of what is now central and south-central Chile between the Aconcagua River and the Chiloé. The Pikunche (Mapudungan for people from the north) lived in the northern part of this region and were defeated by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. As a result, the Pikunche lost all ownership of their lands and were forcibly assimilated into Spanish society. The Huilliche (Mapudungan for people from the South) lived in the South of the region between the Valdivia River and the Chiloé Archipelago. They survived the conflict with the Spanish due to the relatively light presence of the Spanish in this particular part of the region and due to the fact that they posed no threat to Spanish outposts in the area. Lastly, the central Reche, who inhabited the region between the Maule and Tolten Rivers, regularly entered into violent conflict with the Spanish and successfully held off the colonial power.

The central Reche eventually experienced a large societal transformation due to the introduction of the horse to their society which resulted in economic changes in trade, political restructuring, and a relocation of the people. This transformation took place between the second half of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century and led to the emergence of a new cultural identity for the group originating from the central Reche into the Mapuche.

Eventually after a sustained period of war between the Mapuche and Spanish lasting for about a century, the two sides came together and created a peace agreement called the Treaty of Quilin in 1641.{{Cite journal |last1=Culliney |first1=Susan M. |last2=Peterson |first2=Marisa |last3=Royer |first3=Ian |date=2013 |title=The Mapuche Struggle For Land and Recognition: A Legal Analysis |url=https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/18663-2-mapuche-reportpdf |journal=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Workshop, Lewis and Clark Law School.}} The treaty and various agreements that followed legally recognized the Mapuche as distinct and authonomous people from the Spanish, being part of the territories of the Catholic Monarchy, as well as established a border between Spanish and indigenous lands at the Bio Bio River. This agreement effectively put an end to the large-scale conflict between the Mapuche and the Spanish, although small conflicts continued between the two sides until decolonization in the early 19th century. The Mapuche were the only indigenous group under Spanish control from the 16th-19th century to gain full independence. Although the two cultures were independent of one another, they continued to trade and share agricultural practices.

Image:Change of Chile frontier border in the Occupation of the Araucanía - 1870.jpg

During the Independence war, some Mapuche tribes fought in favor of the Hispanic Monarchy, and some others for the Republic.{{cite web |author1=Joanna Crow |author2=Juan Luis Ossa Santa Cruz |title="¿Indios seducidos?" Participación político-militar de los mapuche durante la Restauración de Fernando VII. Chile, 1814-1825 |url=https://ruhm.es/index.php/RUHM/article/view/506 |publisher=Revista Universitaria de Historia Militar |access-date=24 October 2024}}

After Chile successfully achieved independence from the Spanish Empire, the peace between the Mapuche and those inhabiting the rest of Chile effectively evaporated. Although the Spanish Empire still legally recognized the Mapuche as authonomous following decolonization, no such agreement existed with the newly independent Chilean government. The conflict rooted in land ownership issues.

The Chilean government did eventually recognize the Mapuche as distinct people through the formation of the Indigenous Settlement Commission in 1813 which was created to help move the Mapuche reservations. Additionally, The Decree of March 4, 1819 by President Bernardo O'Higgins recognized the ability of Mapuche peoples to enter into legal contracts, the law of July 10, 1823 recognized Mapuche rights to property, and the Treaty of Tapihue in 1825 officially recognized the Mapuche as a state within Chile. While these laws were being passed by the Chilean government, the Chilean population continued to slowly encroach and acquire Mapuche land, often through deceptive and unfair means. In 1866 the Chilean government passed the Indigenous Reservations Law which led to mass rebellion by the Mapuche people in 1870 and 1880.

After the Frenchman, Orélie-Antoine de Tounens, tried to create the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia in the region, the Chilean government started the "Pacification of Araucania" movement between 1862 and 1883. The movement was essentially an occupation of Araucania by the Chilean Army in the late 19th century. After 1881 the land was divided into plots and distributed mostly among private owners (including foreign and Chilean settlers as well as members of the army). The Mapuche (around 100,000 persons according to the 1907 Census) were confined to almost 3,000 atomized reservations named titulos de merced.{{Cite journal |last=Jaimovich; Dany |date=2018 |title=The Mapuche lands throughout history |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344191717 |journal=MDP – Documento de Trabajo 4001 |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514160309/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344191717_The_Mapuche_lands_throughout_history |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last=Bengoa, Jose |title=Historia del Pueblo Mapuche. Siglos XIX y XX |publisher=LOM |year=2000 |isbn=956-28-2232-X}} The actions by the Chilean government were essentially an effort by the government to incorporate the territories which were previously authonomous de facto. In 1962, the Chilean government passed the Law of Agrarian Reform which made all lands taken from the Mapuche before 1946 dedicated for public use. Encroachment efforts appeared to subside when Salvadore Allende was elected president as his government was responsible for restoring significant amounts of Mapuche land. In particular, Law 17.729 helped to restore almost 850,000 acres of Mapuche land and gave the Mapuche people stronger land ownership rights. Many Mapuche were actively involved in the Chilean land reform. More than 150,000 hectares of land were transferred to the communities.

Most of the land that was regained by the Mapuche under the Allende Presidency was later taken back during the counter-agrarian reform process implemented during the military dictatorship (1973–1990).{{Cite book |last=Martín Correa; Raúl Molina; Nancy Yáñez |title=LA REFORMA AGRARIA Y LAS TIERRAS MAPUCHES |publisher=LOM |year=2005 |isbn=9562827097}}{{Cite journal |last=Jaimovich, Dany; Toledo, Felipe |date=2021 |title=The grievances of a failed reform: Chilean land reform and conflict with indigenous communities |url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/109136/ |journal=Munich Personal RePEc Archive |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027152622/https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/109136/ |url-status=live }} Specifically, in 1973 the successful military coup of General Augusto Pinochet established a military dictatorship that effectively reversed many of the policies of the Allende government. Specifically, the Pinochet government did not recognize the Mapuche as a distinct group within Chile, but an integral part of it. Instead, the government only recognized its people as Chilean citizens. Additionally, all of the land regained by the Mapuche during the Allende government was returned to previous owners or opened up to development. Unlike the previous Allende Government, Pinochet focused on giving individual land property and not collective. The dictatorship transferred land to thousands of indigenous families. Between 1978 and 1990, 69.984 individual land titles were given. At that time the Mapuche leaders did not consider their new "private property" an offense to their ancestors. In February 1989, General Augusto Pinochet had a meeting with the groups belonging to the Mapuche "Regional Councils" who gave him the title of "Ulmen Futa Lonco", which means "Great Authority" in Mapuche language.{{cite web |title=Arancibia le recuerda a machi Linconao el día que Pinochet fue nombrado "lonko de lonkos" del pueblo mapuche |url=https://www.theclinic.cl/2021/08/15/arancibia-le-recuerda-a-machi-linconao-el-dia-que-pinochet-fue-nombrado-lonko-de-lonkos-del-pueblo-mapuche/ |publisher=The Clinic |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=es |date=15 August 2021}}

The diploma that was given said: "The General Board of Loncos and Chiefs of Nueva Imperial and the 30 communes of the IX Region of Araucanía, agreed to name H.E., the President of the Republic Captain General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, Ulmen Futa Lonco".{{cite web |title=El pasado mapuche que incomoda a la izquierda: el día que nombraron "Gran Autoridad" a Pinochet |url=https://panampost.com/marcelo-duclos/2017/09/04/el-pasado-mapuche-que-incomoda-a-la-izquierda-el-dia-que-nombraron-gran-autoridad-a-pinochet/ |publisher=Panam Post |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=es |date=4 September 2017}}

From the 1980s onward, large swathes of southern Chile became integrated into the country's export economy, forming what has been described as an enclave economy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/latinoam/n59/n59a5.pdf |title=Mapuche: resistiendo al capital y al Estado. El caso de la Coordinadora Arauco Malleco en Chile |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905115536/https://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/latinoam/n59/n59a5.pdf |url-status=live }} The central component of this is the forestry sector, with several plantations in plots that were originally part of the land reform and others in plots claimed by communities.{{Cite journal |last=Felipe Jordán |date=2021 |title=The rise of forest plantations in Chile's Mapuche's homeland: Four decades of land cover estimates from a CNN-RNN model and the Landsat program |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3938635 |journal=SSRN |ssrn=3938635 |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515040901/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3938635 |url-status=live }} In 1988 a referendum was held in which the "No" option won, and in 1989 Patricio Aylwin was elected President of Chile, assuming office in 1990.

File:Flag of the Mapuches (1992).svg was created in 1992 by Aucán Huilcamán from the Indigenist political organisation, Council of All Lands.]]

The Mapuche conflict continued in the 1990s following the return of democracy.On the conflict before 1990 see Olaf Kaltmeier: Volkseinheit und ethnische Differenz. Mapuche-Bewegung und comunidades während der Regierung Salvador Allende, in:Jahrbuch für Forschungen zur Geschichte der Arbeiterbewegung, Heft III/2003 (German Language). The conflict started in areas inhabited mostly by Mapuches like the vicinities of Purén, where the indigenous communities have been demanded that their ancestral lands, which were now the property of logging corporations, farming companies, and individuals, be turned over to them.Baeza, Cecilia. "[https://merip.org/2015/04/palestinians-and-latin-americas-indigenous-peoples/ Palestinians and Latin America's Indigenous Peoples] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104113731/https://merip.org/2015/04/palestinians-and-latin-americas-indigenous-peoples/ |date=4 January 2022 }}." Middle East Report 274 (Spring 2015).{{cite web|title=Chilean Authorities Investigate New Attack, Land Occupations|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=341129&CategoryId=14094|work=Latin American Herald Tribune|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120002538/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=341129&CategoryId=14094|url-status=live}} At this time, forestry companies owned three times more ancestral Mapuche land than the actual Mapuche people.

In 1993, the Chilean government passed the Indigenous Peoples Act which recognized Mapuche participation, land, cultural, and development rights. Additionally, the law created the National Indigenous Development Corporation (CONADI), an indigenous governing body founded to help support the development of indigenous peoples in Chile. While the law gave substantial promise of reconciliation and justice to the Mapuche people, in reality, the act continues to be extremely underwhelming and disappointing to most Mapuche people in contemporary society.

File:Aucán Huilcamán.jpg, a Mapuche Indigenist political activist.]]

File:Detención de Héctor Llaitul (2022) (cropped).jpg, leader of the CAM armed organization.]]

The term "Wallmapu" began to gain widespread use outside Mapudungun-speaking communities after the Council of All Lands adopted its Mapudungun name, Aukiñ Wallmapu Ngulam, upon the organization's founding in 1990.{{cite web|title=Autonomy in Debate: Indigenous Self-Government and the Plurinational State in Latin America|url=https://www.corteidh.or.cr/tablas/r26635.pdf|publisher=FLACSO|date=2010|access-date=18 March 2022|page=30}}{{cite web|author1=Mariman, José|title=The Mapuche Organization Aukiñ Wallmapu Ngulam|url=https://www.mapuche.info/mapuint/jmar2.htm|publisher=Mapuche Info|date=April 1995|access-date=18 March 2022|location=Denver, United States}} It arose in response to what indigenous movements describe as "repression" and the perceived disregard of land deeds (Títulos de Merced).{{cite journal|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S0717-71942011000100009&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es|title=Martín Correa and Eduardo Mella, The Reasons for "illkun"/Anger: Memory, Dispossession, and Criminalization in the Mapuche Territory of Malleco|last=Cano Christiny|first=Daniel|date=June 2011|journal=Historia (Santiago)|volume=44|issue=1|pages=203–205|access-date=28 January 2023|issn=0717-7194|doi=10.4067/S0717-71942011000100009|doi-access=free}} This was accompanied by a wave of Mapuche migration from the south-central region to major Chilean cities during the Chilean military dictatorship and before.{{cite journal|url=http://bibliotecadigital.academia.cl/xmlui/handle/123456789/6238|title=Military Dictatorship and the Mapuche Movement|journal=Pacarina del Sur, Revista de Pensamiento Crítico Latinoamericano|last=Espinoza Araya|first=Claudio|author2=Mella Abalos, Magaly|date=2013|access-date=28 January 2023|language=es}} The council was notable for engaging in historical revisionism and adopting political stances opposing the Chilean state's interests in the region, particularly regarding demands for "ancestral land recovery" and "political territorial autonomy for the Mapuche people." This movement also included the creation of the Wenufoye national Mapuche flag in 1992, along with five additional flags representing key Mapuche territories in southern Chile.{{cite web|url=https://www.mapuche.nl/doc/moens9908.pdf|title=Mapuche Poetry: Expressions of Identity|access-date=15 March 2022|date=August 1999|publisher=University of Utrecht|author1=J.A. Moens}} Since 2005, the term has also been promoted by the Mapuche nationalist party Wallmapuwen.

The Chilean historian Cristóbal García Huidobro states that: "the terminology 'Wallmapu' is not a relatively old one, but rather a newer one. It arises, as far as it has been understood, from a revisionist movement, at the beginning of the 1990s (...) they make a re-study and a revisionism of the identity, of the language, as well as of the symbols that would represent the Mapuche people (...) it is not a historical question as such, it does not come from the ancestral culture of the Mapuche people who never perceived their territory as a particularly defined place".{{cite web|title="Wallmapu": Historiador chileno afirma que término "no proviene de la cultura ancestral mapuche"|url=https://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/wallmapu-historiador-chileno-termino-no-proviene-cultura-ancestral-mapuche-31-03-2022|publisher=T13|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022}} The term means "Universe" ancestraly in the Mapuche language.{{cite web |title=NUESTRO PUEBLO HUILLICHE DE LA TIERRA QUIERE SEGUIR SIENDO DE LA TIERRA |url=https://web.worldbank.org/archive/website00638/WEB/PDF/4_CHILE.PDF |publisher=Consejo General de Caciques de Chiloé |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315143939/https://web.worldbank.org/archive/website00638/WEB/PDF/4_CHILE.PDF |archive-date=15 March 2022 |location=Chile |language=es}}

The Council reinforced the concept of self-determination through a long ideological process led by various intellectuals. In parallel, in late 1989, several groups began land occupations in Lumaco{{cite web|title=Lumaco: la cristalización del movimiento autodeterminista mapuche|url=https://www.revistas.usach.cl/ojs/index.php/historiasocial/article/view/1553|publisher=Revistas Usach|year=2013|access-date=March 15, 2022|quote=Fue el inicio de un desarrollo ideológico de un sector del pueblo Mapuche que señaló su anti capitalismo como un eje articulador, y a la resistencia, se simbolizó en la irrupción de la violencia política como instrumento para la reconstrucción de lo que llamaron Wallmapu.}} and other areas. In the 1990s, autonomist ideas also permeated some regional prisons.{{cite book|title=Rebellion in Wallmapu: Resistance of the Mapuche Nation-People|year=2013|publisher=We Still Believe in Dreams|location=Santiago, Chile|author=Caniuqueo, Sergio|author2=Mariman, Pablo|author3=Levil, Rodrigo|author4=Millalen, José}}

As Chile transitioned to democracy in urban areas, a political project aimed at the "reconstruction of Wallmapu" emerged in indigenous southern territories. This initiative was ignored by Chilean political elites.

The construction of the Ralco Hydroelectric Plant, which displaced indigenous burial sites, was a breaking point in state-Mapuche relations, contributing to the formation of the Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco (CAM) in 1997 following the burning of three trucks belonging to Forestal Arauco. This event marked the beginning of the violence in the Southern Macrozone of Chile (also known as Araucanía conflict) and a turning point in the development of the Mapuche autonomist political movement. Since then, violence has progressively increased and expanded to the neighboring regions of Biobío and Los Lagos.{{cite web |url=https://www.latercera.com/noticia/los-20-anos-del-conflicto-la-araucania-viene-ahora/# |title=Los 20 años del conflicto en La Araucanía: ¿Qué viene ahora? |access-date=February 11, 2019 |date=March 19, 2017 |website=La Tercera |language=Spanish |last1=Reyes |first1=C. |last2=Palomera |first2=F. |last3=Zamorano |first3=C.}}

The CAM, which defines itself as anti-capitalist and "in resistance against neoliberalism," uses violence to reclaim lands it considers usurped during the Occupation of Araucanía and now held by large landowners and extractive industries.{{cite book|title=Zuamgenolu: Mapuche People in the Context of the Chilean Nation-State, 19th–21st Centuries|year=2016|publisher=USACH|author=Canales Tapia, Antileo E., Nahuelquir, F.|page=78}} These areas serve as the foundation for territorial control, which the CAM views as essential for self-determination and the holistic development of indigenous activists.{{cite book|title=Rebellion in Wallmapu: Resistance of the Mapuche Nation-People|year=2013|publisher=We Still Believe in Dreams|location=Santiago, Chile|page=24}} CAM leaders, such as Héctor Llaitul, represent a newer, more separatist generation compared to figures like Aucán Huilcamán, founder of the Council of All Lands.

In May 2022, the Chamber of Deputies of Chile declared the Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco, Resistencia Mapuche Malleco, Resistencia Mapuche Lafkenche, and Weichán Auka Mapu as "illegal terrorist organizations."{{cite web |url=https://www.camara.cl/verDoc.aspx?prmId=7159&prmTipo=RESOLUCION |title=Proyecto de Resolución N° 128 |language=es}}{{cite web |url=https://cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/regiones/zona-sur/camara-baja-declaro-a-la-cam-y-otros-tres-grupos-radicales-como/2022-05-31/213626.html |title=Cámara de Diputados declara a la CAM y otras tres organizaciones radicales como "asociaciones ilícitas de carácter terrorista" |publisher=Cooperativa |date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2023 |language=es}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/camara-de-diputados-declara-a-la-cam-y-otras-tres-organizaciones-radicales-como-asociaciones-ilicitas-de-caracter-terrorista/RZYPRDJ6QJEORBWNIYHQMZDI6E/ |title=Cámara Baja declaró a la CAM y otros tres grupos radicales como asociaciones terroristas |access-date=June 3, 2022 |last=S |first=Rodrigo Gómez |date=June 1, 2022 |website=La Tercera |language=es}}

File:Vertedero presa Ralco, VIII Región.JPG involved the relocation of Mapuche communities through land swaps, against the will of some families. Additionally, cemeteries and sacred ancestral sites important to the Mapuche religion were flooded.]]

In the early 1990s, Spanish utility company Endesa initiated the Biobío Hydroelectric Dam project, including a series of dams on the Upper BíoBío River. The dams, particularly the Ralco Dam, led to the displacement of Mapuche/Pehuenche communities due to flooding of ancestral lands.{{cite web |title=Pangue/Ralco Dams Affect Mapuche/Pehuenche People Along Chile's BioBio River |url=https://www.ciel.org/ |access-date=}} The World Bank's involvement through its International Finance Corporation (IFC) drew criticism for policy violations, prompting internal reforms.

In 1978, ENDESA, the National Electric Enterprise created by the State undertook hydroelectric projects on the BioBio River.{{Cite journal |last=Nesti |first=Lorenzo |date=2002 |title=The Mapuche-- Peheunche and the Ralco Dam on the Biobio River: The Challenges of Protecting Indigenous Land Rights |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24675088 |journal=International Journal on Minority and Group Rights |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=1–40 |doi=10.1163/157181102400821586 |jstor=24675088 |url-access=subscription }} The building of the Pangue dam (1996–1997) caused flooding of 500 hectares occupied by the Pehuenche communities. Many of the Pehuenche signed away their land rights due to the lack of literacy among the people. The flooding led to ancestral cemeteries being washed away and the relocation of families and communities. After the construction of the Pangue Dam, the relatively isolated Bio Bio River attracted timber contractors who would give landowners an undisclosed amount of money for the harvesting of their trees.

After the success of the Pangue Dam, the conception of the Ralco Dam began. The Ralco Dam was initially supposed to be the biggest dam proposed for the BioBio, constructed 27 kilometers from the Pangue Dam. At over 155 meters tall, it would flood 3,400 hectares of land to generate 570 megawatts of electricity. The proposed Ralco Dam would displace approximately 500 to 1,000 persons comprising 91 families of the Quepuca-Ralco and Ralco-Lepoy. The dam would also threaten 27 species of mammals, 10 species of amphibians, 9 species of reptiles, and 8 species of fish.  The Ralco Dam finished construction in 2004.

In response to the controversies surrounding the Ralco Dams' construction, the Chilean Government signed the INFORME N° 30/04, PETICIÓN 4617/02, SOLUCION AMISTOSA, with the Iner-American Commission on Human Rights. The Government promised to not build any more mega-projects and hydroelectric projects on Indigenous lands surrounding the Bio Bio River.

Despite the Chilean government's commitments to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to halt such projects on Indigenous lands, further controversial dams like Angostura and Rucalhue were developed. These continued to affect the local communities by flooding lands and threatening cultural traditions.{{cite web |title=Dam construction ignites Indigenous youth movement in southern Chile |url=https://news.mongabay.com/ |access-date=}} Resistance has grown, particularly among youth, who have organized sit-ins, plebiscites, and petitions against the ongoing developments.

The initial construction of the Ralco dam was met with controversy due to the indigenous Mapuche being relocated. While the displaced were given monetary repayment, many complained that it was too little compared to the dam company's profits. Many protests have been held over the events of the construction of the Ralco Dam.{{Cite web |last=Daniel |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Dan Construction Ignites Indigenous Youth Movement in Southern Chile |url=https://advance.lexis.com/document/?pdmfid=1516831&crid=f4a27557-0200-4f85-8ab2-11f4991d2843&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fnews%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A66W6-J231-F03R-N35M-00000-00&pdcontentcomponentid=484266&pdteaserkey=sr1&pditab=allpods&ecomp=-znyk&earg=sr1&prid=07963175-4989-4292-8e64-1fdab66eec3e |website=Mongabar}} There have been sit-ins that have blocked access roads to the plant for machinery and workers. All sit-ins have ended quickly where participants eventually get evicted, however, the construction of the Ralco Dam has increased citizen participation.

There have been increased protections in place from the actions of the construction of the Ralco Dam. The National Corporation for Indigenous Development (CONADI) to "protect yet substantially develop lands." CONANDI was put in place to negotiate between indigenous peoples and corporations to acquire disputed land for return to the indigenous groups.

File:Protesta apoyo Patricia Troncoso.jpg

Numerous incidents such as violent land occupations, burning of private property and demonstrations have occurred in Araucania. In the wake of the deaths of a few of its activists, Mapuche organization Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco played a key role by organizing and supporting violent land occupations and other direct actions, such as the burning of houses and farms, that have ended up in clashes with the police.

The government of Michelle Bachelet said that it was not ready to contemplate expropriating land in the southern region of Araucania to restore lost ancestral territory to the Mapuche.{{cite web|title=Chile Rules Out Land Seizures to Satisfy Indian Demands|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=342083&CategoryId=14094|work=Latin American Herald Tribune|access-date=28 August 2009|archive-date=25 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125093341/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=342083&CategoryId=14094|url-status=live}} The government set out to buy land for use by 115 Mapuche communities, however, according to government officials, the current owners had nearly tripled the prices they were demanding. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the government policy of buying and distributing land has been questioned.

Two special presidential envoys were sent to southern Chile to review the increasingly fractious "Mapuche situation".{{cite web |title=CHILE INDIGENOUS CONFLICT MAKES POLITICAL WAVES|url=http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index.php/2009082116951/news/political-news/chile-indigenous-conflict-makes-political-waves |access-date=28 August 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Correlating to these incidents, in 2009, the Chilean Government (Senate) voted to amend the constitution to include specific rights for indigenous people. The constitutional amendment regarding Mapuche recognition would change the way the country treats violations of indigenous rights. Formal complaints regarding any violations would now pass through the formal court system. There will also be attempts at increasing the reaction time of the state to indigenous rights violations. This is in response to previous violations where permanent damage already occurred before an indigenous person's voice was heard.

The amended constitution would also include a clause stating any project, law, act, etc. that is created without proper consultation of indigenous groups is nullified. The Special Rapporteur's report stated the guidelines for the consultation process. Consultation must occur in the beginning stages of any project, law, or act that is proposed. The act of consultation must meet a good faith principle where the state and indigenous groups look for solutions rather than conflict. Consultation must also be a discourse between the two groups rather than a gathering of information by either side. Finally, the consultation process must define the scope of the project in its entirety. This includes granting access to documents, financials, modifications, etc. to the indigenous groups.

{{main|2010 Mapuche hunger strike}}

File:Tehuelche flag.svg Between 2010 and 2011, a series of hunger strikes by Mapuche community members imprisoned in Chilean prisons to protest against the conditions in which the proceedings against them took place, mainly due to the application of the antiterrorist law, and for the double prosecutions they were subject to, because parallel proceedings were carried out in the ordinary and military courts.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

The strikes began on July 12, 2010, with a group that was in preventive detention, some for more than one year and a half, all accused of violating anti-terrorism legislation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/2011/06/09/comuneros-mapuche-terminan-huelga-de-hambre-tras-87-dias.shtml|title=Comuneros mapuche deponen huelga de hambre tras 87 días (In Spanish)|work=Bio Bio Chile|date=9 June 2011|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924225000/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/2011/06/09/comuneros-mapuche-terminan-huelga-de-hambre-tras-87-dias.shtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/2011/05/25/corte-ratifica-absolucion-de-justicia-militar-en-caso-de-mapuche-condenados-por-ataque-a-fiscal.shtml|title=Ratifican fallo absolutorio de Juzgado Militar en caso de mapuche condenados por ataque a fiscal (In Spanish)|work=Bio Bio Chile|date=25 May 2011|access-date=24 September 2018|archive-date=24 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924225003/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/2011/05/25/corte-ratifica-absolucion-de-justicia-militar-en-caso-de-mapuche-condenados-por-ataque-a-fiscal.shtml|url-status=live}}

A march was held in commemoration of the death of Matías Catrileo in Santiago in January 2013. During the march a group of masked men threw molotov cocktails at banks. Later the same group caused incidents near Estación Mapocho.[http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501793-9-marcha-por-conmemoracion-de-muerte-de-matias-catrileo-provoca-incidentes-en.shtml Marcha por conmemoración de muerte de Matías Catrileo provoca incidentes en Santiago Centro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304134936/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501793-9-marcha-por-conmemoracion-de-muerte-de-matias-catrileo-provoca-incidentes-en.shtml |date=4 March 2013 }}, La Tercera, 3 January 2013. Retrieved on 4 April 2013. The commemoration was associated by newspaper La Tercera with the assault and torching of a truck on Chile Route 5 in the Araucanía Region.[http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501714-9-con-quema-de-camion-se-inicio-conmemoracion-tras-cinco-anos-de-la-muerte-de.shtml Quema de camión en La Araucanía marca conmemoración de muerte de Matías Catrileo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104025153/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501714-9-con-quema-de-camion-se-inicio-conmemoracion-tras-cinco-anos-de-la-muerte-de.shtml |date=4 January 2013 }}, La Tercera, 3 January 2013. Retrieved on 4 April 2013.

On the morning of January 4, 2013, the agricultural business couple Luchsinger-Mackay were burned alive in a fire in their house in Vilcún, Araucanía Region.[http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501822-9-fiscalia-confirma-muerte-de-dos-personas-en-nuevo-atentado-incendiario-a-casa.shtml Fiscalía confirma muerte de dos personas en nuevo atentado incendiario a casa patronal en La Araucanía] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128154309/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501822-9-fiscalia-confirma-muerte-de-dos-personas-en-nuevo-atentado-incendiario-a-casa.shtml |date=28 January 2013 }}, La Tercera, 4 January 2013. Retrieved on 4 April 2013.Pericias indican que Werner Luchsinger y Vivian MacKay murieron por acción del fuego, El Mercurio, 23 March 2013. Retrieved on 4 April 2013. The prosecutor said it was arson in a preliminary report while the newspaper La Tercera, linked it to the commemoration of the death of Matías Catrileo and to the truck burning the previous days. A relative of the dead persons claimed there was a campaign to empty the region of farmers and businessmen adding that "the guerrilla is winning" and lamented the "lack of rule of law".[http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501839-9-familia-confirma-que-los-fallecidos-en-ataque-a-casa-patronal-en-la-araucania.shtml Familia confirma que los fallecidos en ataque a casa patronal en La Araucanía son el matrimonio Luchsinger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105083116/https://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2013/01/680-501839-9-familia-confirma-que-los-fallecidos-en-ataque-a-casa-patronal-en-la-araucania.shtml |date=5 January 2013 }}, La Tercera, 4 January 2013. Retrieved on 4 April 2013. A male activist wounded by a bullet was detained by police 600 m from the torched house. A separate thesis claims the house was attacked by at least seven persons and that the "machi" had received the bullet wound from the occupants of the house before dying in the fire.

In September 2017, the prosecutor of La Araucanía, Roberto Garrido, confirmed that there was a connection between members of the Weichán Auka Mapu and the Luchsinger-Mackay case. This was due to ongoing investigations showing the involvement of at least 25 individuals in the attack. The prosecutor confirmed that the investigations were still ongoing.{{cite web|url=https://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/roberto-garrido-fiscal-araucania-es-necesario-determinar-vinculo-acusados-del|title=Fiscalía asegura que hay vínculos entre la muerte de los Luchsinger y el grupo Weichan Auka Mapu|work=T13|date=3 September 2017 |accessdate=2024-02-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2017/09/03/873770/Fiscal-de-la-Araucania-asegura-que-el-crimen-del-matrimonio-LuchsingerMackay-esta-definitivamente-unido-con-el-grupo-violentista-WAM.html|title=Fiscalía asegura que "existe evidencia" del vinculo entre el caso Luchsinger-Mackay y grupo WAM|work=Emol.tv|date=3 September 2017 |accessdate=2024-02-01}}

On April 30, a freight train was derailed near Collipulli to be then assaulted by men with firearms.{{cite news | url=https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/se-aplicara-la-ley-antiterrorista-contra-los-responsables-del-atentado-en-collipulli_20130430/ | title=Se aplicará la Ley Antiterrorista contra los responsables del atentado en Collipulli | publisher=CNN Chile | date=30 April 2013 | accessdate=26 July 2022 | archive-date=26 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726225900/https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/se-aplicara-la-ley-antiterrorista-contra-los-responsables-del-atentado-en-collipulli_20130430/ | url-status=live }}[http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/region-de-la-araucania/tren-de-carga-sufrio-descarrilamiento-en-collipulli/2013-04-30/113953.html Tren de carga sufrió descarrilamiento en Collipulli] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007052757/http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/region-de-la-araucania/tren-de-carga-sufrio-descarrilamiento-en-collipulli/2013-04-30/113953.html |date=7 October 2015 }}, Radio Cooperativa. Interior minister Andrés Chadwick said the Chilean Antiterrorist Law will be applied to those responsible for the attack.

File:Quema de iglesias - Araucania 2016.png

File:Presidente Piñera participa en ceremonia mapuche (4).jpg

Since 2016, there has been an increasing number of attacks in the region, especially against churches, machinery, forest industries, and security forces.{{Cite web|url=http://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/al-menos-19-camiones-incendiados-biobio-y-araucania|title=Al menos 23 camiones incendiados en el Biobío y La Araucanía|website=Tele 13|date=16 February 2018 |language=es-LA|access-date=7 July 2018|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030130/http://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/al-menos-19-camiones-incendiados-biobio-y-araucania|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/policial/atentados/quema-de-camiones-en-la-araucania-y-biobio-gobierno-se-querella-por/2018-02-16/135609.html|title=Quema de camiones en La Araucanía y Biobío: Gobierno se querella por incendio terrorista|last=Cooperativa.cl|work=Cooperativa.cl|access-date=7 July 2018|language=es|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704035035/https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/policial/atentados/quema-de-camiones-en-la-araucania-y-biobio-gobierno-se-querella-por/2018-02-16/135609.html|url-status=live}} A June 2018 article in the equaltimes.org website reported that "military police (GOPE) often intervene violently, on the side of the companies, intimidating the Mapuche communities, acting indiscriminately against women or minors."{{Cite news |last=Pardal |first=Alberto Barba |date=29 June 2018 |title=In Chile, the Mapuche are battling for their land |language=en |work=Equal Times |url=https://www.equaltimes.org/in-chile-the-mapuche-are-battling#.W-uHTJNKgb4 |url-status=live |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114141357/https://www.equaltimes.org/in-chile-the-mapuche-are-battling#.W-uHTJNKgb4 |archive-date=14 November 2018}} The Jesuit priest Carlos Bresciani, who has spent 15 years heading the Misión Jesuita Mapuche in Tirúa,{{Cite web|url=http://tiruasj.blogspot.com/2009/05/noticias-de-mayo.html|title=Misión Jesuita Mapuche: Noticias de Mayo...|last=Jesuitas|first=Misión Mapuche-|date=28 May 2009|website=Misión Jesuita Mapuche|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-date=15 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015003041/http://tiruasj.blogspot.com/2009/05/noticias-de-mayo.html|url-status=live}} said that he doesn't see autonomy coming easily, given the disposition of the Chilean Senate, and that the "underlying problem is how communities participate in decision-making in their own territories".{{Cite news|last=S.A.P.|first=El Mercurio|title=Carlos Bresciani, el jefe jesuita en la zona mapuche: "Lo que el Estado no hizo de derecho, las comunidades lo están haciendo de hecho"|language=es|work=LaSegunda.com|url=http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Politica/2014/10/972563/lo-que-el-estado-no-hizo-de-derecho-las-comunidades-lo-estan-haciendo-de-hecho|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903051820/http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Politica/2014/10/972563/lo-que-el-estado-no-hizo-de-derecho-las-comunidades-lo-estan-haciendo-de-hecho|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapuche.info/print.php?pagina=5121|title=Ñuke Mapu – Centro de Documentación Mapuche|website=www.mapuche.info|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213052034/http://www.mapuche.info/print.php?pagina=5121|url-status=live}} Bresciani observed that the violence "reflects that there is an open wound."{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-chile-mapuche-pope-20180116-story.html|title=The long fight of the Mapuche people at times has turned violent. Pope Francis is about to get involved|last=Poblete|first=Kate Linthicum, Jorge|website=Los Angeles Times|date=16 January 2018|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100454/http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-chile-mapuche-pope-20180116-story.html|url-status=live}} In January 2018, while saying Mass before thousands at Temuco, "the de facto capital of the Mapuche community", Pope Francis called for an end to the violence,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42724011|title=Pope urges end to Chile Mapuche conflict|date=2018|work=BBC News|access-date=14 November 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100443/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42724011|url-status=live}} and for solidarity with "those who daily bear the burden of those many injustices".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/17/pope-francis-chiles-indigenous-mapuche-unite-against-violence|title=Pope wades into indigenous conflict telling Chile's Mapuche to shun violence|last=Staff and agencies in Temuco|date=17 January 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628100607/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/17/pope-francis-chiles-indigenous-mapuche-unite-against-violence|url-status=live}} In 2018, Camilo Catrillanca, the grandson of a local Indigenous leader, was shot in the head during a police operation in a rural community near the town of Ercilla. His death triggered nationwide protest leading to seven police officers being convicted in connection with the shooting.{{Cite web|title=Son of Chile Indigenous leader killed in restive province|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/10/son-of-chile-indigenous-leader-killed-in-restive-province|access-date=5 September 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en|archive-date=4 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904183357/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/10/son-of-chile-indigenous-leader-killed-in-restive-province|url-status=live}}

In January 2019 the Anti-Indigenist organization, Association for Peace and Reconciliation in Araucanía, was founded to defend the interest of farmers affected by incidents of violence by armed groups in the area.{{Cite web|title=Víctimas de violencia rural de la Macrozona Sur denuncian bajo patrullaje militar e insisten en ampliar estado de excepción|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2022/08/23/1070665/victimas-violencia-nulo-patrullaje-macrozonasur.html|publisher=Emol|date=August 23, 2022|accessdate=September 8, 2022}}

On 20 December 2019, the UN urged Switzerland to stop deportation of Mapuche activist Flor Calfunao to Chile because of concern for her human rights, including the risk of torture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/comite-onu-suiza-deportacion-mapuche-riesgo-tortura_20191219/|title=Comité ONU: Suiza debe detener la deportación a Chile de mapuche por riesgo de sufrir tortura|last=Chile|first=C. N. N.|website=CNN Chile|language=es|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220022559/https://www.cnnchile.com/pais/comite-onu-suiza-deportacion-mapuche-riesgo-tortura_20191219/|url-status=live}}

On 16 June 2021, a police officer was wounded during clashes with suspected indigenous militia groups in the Biobío region. In the same region volunteer firefighters were caught in crossfire between police forces and indigenous militiamen while trying to get to the La Pasión farm to put out a fire.{{Cite web|date=16 June 2021|title=Un carabinero herido con perdigones en brazo y rostro dejan enfrentamientos en provincia de Arauco|url=https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-del-bio-bio/2021/06/16/un-carabinero-herido-con-perdigones-en-brazo-y-rostro-dejan-enfrentamientos-en-provincia-de-arauco.shtml|access-date=5 September 2021|website=BioBioChile - La Red de Prensa Más Grande de Chile|language=es|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905185703/https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-del-bio-bio/2021/06/16/un-carabinero-herido-con-perdigones-en-brazo-y-rostro-dejan-enfrentamientos-en-provincia-de-arauco.shtml|url-status=live}}

On 6 July 2021, protest erupted during the opening constitutional session, with citizens demanding an amnesty law for supposed political prisoners who had been arrested during the country's political unrest in 2019.{{Cite web|last1=julio|first1=Agencias6 de|last2=2021 - 12h05|date=6 July 2021|title=Sesión de constituyentes en Chile vuelve a suspenderse y el pedido de amnistía para 'presos políticos' sigue a la espera|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/sesion-de-constituyentes-en-chile-vuelve-a-suspenderse-y-el-pedido-de-amnistia-para-presos-politicos-sigue-a-la-espera-nota/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=El Universo|language=es|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905185701/https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/sesion-de-constituyentes-en-chile-vuelve-a-suspenderse-y-el-pedido-de-amnistia-para-presos-politicos-sigue-a-la-espera-nota/|url-status=live}}

In late July, fighting was reported between state forces and suspected indigenous militias in the Araucanía and Biobío regions. In the Biobío commune of Tirua, armed men ambushed a police unit, injuring two police officers. Finally, in the Araucanía city of Carahue, militiamen exchanged fire with police officers carrying out a protective order outside the building of a logging company. Two police officers and a worker were injured, before the suspects escaped.{{Cite web|date=5 August 2021|title=Regional Overview: South America {{!}} 24–30 July 2021|url=https://acleddata.com/2021/08/05/regional-overview-south-america24-30-july-2021/|access-date=5 September 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905150545/https://acleddata.com/2021/08/05/regional-overview-south-america24-30-july-2021/|url-status=live}}

In October, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera declared a state of emergency and deployed troops to Biobio and Araucania in response to clashes between security forces and Mapuche groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/12/chile-declares-state-of-emergency-over-mapuche-conflict|title=Chile declares state of emergency over Mapuche conflict|access-date=20 November 2021|archive-date=20 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120114220/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/12/chile-declares-state-of-emergency-over-mapuche-conflict|url-status=live}}

On 25 December 2021, the Mapuche organization Lafkenche Mapuche Resistance claimed responsibility for the following sabotage actions in Wallmapu in support of Mapuche political prisoners and fallen fighters:

• Wednesday 24 November: Burning of four trucks for extracting aggregate material from the Trongol river, and a forestry truck belonging to Bosques Arauco, in the Sector Los Rios, Los Alamos.
• Thursday 9 December: Burning of 15 forestry machines, in the Coihue-Yeneco Estate of Forestal Arauco. Lebu.
• Tuesday 14 December: Burning of 15 forestry machines in the El Tesero Estate of Forestal Arauco. Curanilahue.
• Tuesday 22 December: Burning of 31 summer cabins in the Sector Lincuyin. Contulmo.{{Cite web|url = https://itsgoingdown.org/lafkenche-mapuche-resistance-claims-recent-sabotage-actions-in-wallmapu/|title = "Lafkenche Mapuche Resistance" Claims Recent Sabotage Actions in Wallmapu|date = 25 December 2021|access-date = 26 December 2021|archive-date = 6 May 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220506025500/https://itsgoingdown.org/lafkenche-mapuche-resistance-claims-recent-sabotage-actions-in-wallmapu/|url-status = live}}

On March 15, 2022, Interior Minister Izkia Siches visited Araucania, an area heavily populated by Mapuche groups. The visit ended when shots were fired and Siches was forced to evacuate.{{Cite web |title=Chile's Identity Crisis: Mapuche Still Under Fire |url=https://nacla.org/chile-mapuche-boric-emergency |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=NACLA |language=en}} Since the event relations between the state and Mapuche have continued to deteriorate. The election of President Boric was initially promising for the Mapuche as they had made progress after centuries of disputes. Furthermore, the Chilean state recently proposed a new constitution that would greatly increase indigenous rights within Chile. However, many Mapuche members are questioning the state after the recent encounter with Minister Siches. Victor Queipul, a Mapuche leader, commented on Siches' visit: "Minister Siches had no intention of listening to the Mapuche people, her aim was solely to strengthen her ministerial position without tackling Mapuche issues, In that case, we are unwilling to welcome her. If the ministry wants dialogue, they must follow the correct protocols."

The Mapuche also claim they were never consulted about the visit and were alarmed when they saw a military entourage approaching. In response to the shooting, Boric announced a state of emergency in the area of Araucania leading to more military presence. The Mapuche disagreed with the move saying the government violated rules regarding consultation. Furthermore, they increasingly believe Boric's decisions mirror those of previous dictators who sought to topple the Mapuche. Less than a week following the state of an emergency announcement one worker was shot and four others badly injured. Each of the five victims involved were Mapuche peoples, and the attack mirrors those by police officers and security firms against Mapuche activists. The Mapuche groups believe the state of emergency is to serve the special interests of the forestry companies in the area. They believe it offers them personal protection from attacks through state interference. There have also been reports of corruption between local police officers and forestry companies. Officers are alleged to have received payments from forestry companies while still under contract with the Chilean government.

Groups of Mapuche fighters continued to cause disruption within Chile's wooded area in the months leading to summer. The attacks continue with the same motive of freeing ancestral lands currently held by private enterprises.{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=Patricia Garip {{!}} Photographs by Carlos Villalon for The Wall Street |title=Militant Indigenous Uprising in Chile Tests New Leftist Leader |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/militant-indigenous-uprising-in-chile-tests-new-leftist-leader-11655222618 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} Left-wing president Boric doesn't see the violent conflict as a means to an end to the tumultuous relationship between the state and Mapuche people. The attacks have also become more targeted going after specific individuals rather than just property or machinery. The motives behind the attacks are also questioned by many in Chile. While the ancestral land claims are proven to be legitimate many believe criminal organizations have taken advantage of the dire scenario. Through the struggle for land organized crime has surfaced and reports of drug trafficking are present. Suspects of potential crime are the seven militant groups that are currently at war with the Chilean state. The state firmly believes at least some groups are using the struggle for land as a facade for their true motives. Furthermore, police reports have claimed they made multiple cocaine busts and uncovered marijuana plants all concealed among the forestry plants in remorse regions. Lumber companies have also been affected by the potential of organized crime. According to the forestry chamber, 4% of the 4,500 logging trucks that transit everyday carry stolen wood. The wood is stolen from the lumber companies, laundered through sawmills, and eventually sold with falsified documents.

In response to the high tensions in the area, President Boric responded: "I have the duty to use all legal tools to guarantee the security of the population, and I will not waver in using them." Boric deployed more troops to the area after arson, shootings, and destruction of property rose from 1,118 in 2019 to 1,771 in 2021. The attacks in 2022 alone have increased by 44 from January to April. The victims of such attacks are commonly, but not exclusively, forestry workers, police officers, and military personnel. Mapuche people have also been caught in the crossfire. Common Mapuche who are targeted are those who work for the forestry companies as they are denounced by more radical Mapuche groups. The feelings among the Mapuche regarding President Boric's decision are quite mixed. Some believe it will offer some safety and security, while others think it mirrors the actions of former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Regardless, many Mapuche believe that the violence is detrimental to their communities and must come to an end. Cristobal Nancufil, a 19-year-old Mapuche member, doesn't believe in the violence: "I don't feel part of this struggle, Ethnic pride is good. But attacking someone's property that long ago belonged to Mapuche, how is this the fault of the descendants?" Poverty in the region is also higher at 17.4% compared to 10.8% for the rest of the nation, further worsening the condition of the region.

On February 5, 2025, the Argentine government led by Javier Milei declared the RAM as a "terrorist organization" after the Governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, linked the RAM to the ongoing wildfires in the region—which have already affected more than 20,000 hectares—and accused Jones Huala of instigating them. However, the Mapuche leader denied any involvement of the RAM in the forest fires that have spread across Argentine Patagonia since December, stating: "We have never done it, nor would we ever do it" in response to the accusations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvpublica.com.ar/post/argentina-declara-organizacion-terrorista-a-la-resistencia-ancestral-mapuche|title=Argentina declares the Resistencia Ancestral Mapuche a 'terrorist organization'|access-date=2025-02-09|last=Pública|first=TVP-Televisión|date=2025-02-05|website=TVP|language=es}}

Federico Astete, leader of the Resistencia Mapuche Lavkenche, has participated in arson attacks in the Biobío Region and in the attack on the Grollmus Mill.{{cite web|title=Así cayó Federico Astete, uno de los líderes de la Resistencia Mapuche Lavkenche que atacó el Molino Grollmus|url=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/asi-cayo-federico-astete-uno-de-los-lideres-de-la-resistencia-mapuche-lavkenche-que-ataco-el-molino-grollmus/|website=La Tercera|date=April 26, 2025|access-date=April 26, 2025|language=es}}

The Constitutional Convention made a new constitution proposal in 2021 and 2022 that would have changed the economic and political system of the country. Changes put in place would have created independent judiciary systems for people who identified as indigenous. The proposal of constitution would have mainly hurt the legal rights of mining companies, decentralized the government and shifted more power to rural areas of Chile.{{Cite web |last=Forero |first=Patricia Garip and Juan |title=Chileans Wary as They Vote for New Constitution That Would Upend Free Market Model |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chilean-voters-are-likely-to-reject-constitution-overhauling-economy-11662202801 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}} The proposal contemplated indigenous representation in Congress with the ability to veto projects, laws, etc. on issues concerning and not concerning them. Essentially, the new constitution would have defined Chile as a "plurinational state" which is several nations in one. The new constitution was heavily focused on the overrepresentation of indigenous communities. Indigenous communities make up about 12% of the population, according to the 2020 census. The new constitution would have given them greater political representation. Many Mapuche supported the constitutional change and some opposed it.{{Cite web |last=Loncón |first=Elisa |title=The Mapuche Struggle for the Recognition of its Nation From a Feminine and Decolonizing Point of View |url=https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/the-mapuche-struggle-for-the-recognition-of-its-nation-from-a-feminine-and-decolonizing-point-of-view/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=ReVista |language=en-US}} Hugo Antonio Alcamán is an association of Mapuche professionals leader who opposed the constitution proposal: "We were supposed to be fighting privilege, but suddenly we look like the privileged ones." Farmers also feared the idea of a new constitution since it intruded on private property rights. Many believed their property wouldn't be respected and they feared a repeat of state land seizures that happened in the 1970s. The proposed constitution did not pass in the end for a multitude of reasons. One, was the overrepresentation of Mapuche in Congress and the conflict that it could cause.{{Cite news |title=Analysis {{!}} Chile's new voting rules may have derailed the new Constitution |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/16/chile-constitution-mandatory-voting/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |issn=0190-8286}} Furthermore, the usage of the word plurinational was also a major concern for the citizens. Many didn't know if plurinational was simply an ideology or if it would bring along legitimate policy change. The word plurinational caused concern for the majority and the constitution was rejected with 62% voting against it.

Another more conservative constitution, that was viewed as harmful to the autonomous Mapuche movement interests, was also rejected in 2023.{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Charis |title=Indigenous advocates reject Chile's new draft constitution ahead of vote |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/15/indigenous-advocates-reject-chiles-new-draft-constitution-ahead-of-vote |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

The Chilean government's usage of the "Anti-Terrorism Law" in the conflict is a focal point of the controversy surrounding the conflict.{{Cite web|title=A Repressive Status Quo|url=https://nacla.org/news/2018/04/16/repressive-status-quo|access-date=5 July 2021|website=NACLA|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183029/https://nacla.org/news/2018/04/16/repressive-status-quo|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=OHCHR {{!}} UN experts urge Chile not to use anti-terrorism law against Mapuche indigenous peoples|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22209&LangID=E|access-date=5 July 2021|website=www.ohchr.org|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702175649/https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22209&LangID=E|url-status=live}} In 2013, the United Nations condemned the use of the Anti-Terrorism Law against Mapuche activists.{{Cite web|date=31 July 2013|title=Chile must stop using anti-terrorism law against Mapuche indigenous group – UN expert|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/07/445902-chile-must-stop-using-anti-terrorism-law-against-mapuche-indigenous-group-un|access-date=5 July 2021|website=UN News|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183013/https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/07/445902-chile-must-stop-using-anti-terrorism-law-against-mapuche-indigenous-group-un|url-status=live}} Amnesty International and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights have made similar criticisms.

According to a May 2022 poll by Cadem 76% of Chileans believe there is terrorism in Araucanía Region. This is a rise from the 56% that believed so in 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://vivimoslanoticia.cl/noticias/actualidad/2022/05/22/encuesta-cadem-un-76-de-los-chilenos-cree-que-en-la-araucania-hay-terrorismo/ |title=Encuesta Cadem |date=22 May 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525005216/https://vivimoslanoticia.cl/noticias/actualidad/2022/05/22/encuesta-cadem-un-76-de-los-chilenos-cree-que-en-la-araucania-hay-terrorismo/ |url-status=live }} Conversely, Cadem polls show that those who reject the notion that there is terrorism in Araucanía Region decreased from 41% to 19% in the same period.

• Council of All Lands
• Coordinadora Arauco-Malleco
• Association for Peace and Reconciliation in Araucanía
• Indigenous peoples in Chile
• Indigenous peoples in Argentina
• Resistencia Ancestral Mapuche

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