Two Mapuche Individuals, One Police Officer Shot in More Violence Near Ercilla

On Thursday, August 18th, the Chilean police force (carabineros) raided the Mapuche communities of Ercilla — in the area of Pidima – searching for firearms. According to several media outlets, the raid was one of the largest in recent times and was ordered by the Collipulli courts. At least two Mapuche individuals were shot with buckshot during the raids — possibly including a juvenile. A police officer was shot in the arm as well and taken to a local hospital. The clashes also resulted in a warehouse being set on fire, resulting in approximately US$ 30,000 worth of damage.

The raids and subsequent violence growing out of them, are the latest in a series of violence that has ramped up in the past month. In that time, multiple clashes have broken out and both police officers and Mapuche individuals have been shot — including Mapuche juveniles. The increased violence has coincided with increased efforts by the Mapuche communities in the area to get their ancestral lands back, and all of this violence has occurred in an area that, according to the 2002 Chilean Census, has just over 9,00o inhabitants.

Specifically, in this case, the events took place early — at approximately 6:00 a.m. — on Thursday morning and, in total, 16 Mapuche homes were raided. According to a statement issued by the Autonomous Mapuche Community of Temucuicui, the raids were unnecessarily violent and involved police destruction of property and firing of weapons at point-blank range. The community also indicated that the timing of the raid meant that there were children in the homes when it occurred, and that those children were handcuffed and left in their yards as the police proceeded to search. The statement also states that, despite the police efforts, no firearms were found and urges all Mapuche communities to defend themselves — with violence if necessary.

Thus far, the Chilean police department has issued no statement with respect to what specifically was seized, if anything, that we are aware of. The police have confirmed that Lieutenant Alejandro Sáez was shot in the arm during the raids and taken for treatment. He was, later in the day, visited at the hospital by Andrés Molina, the Intendent of La Araucanía. Molina indicated that, in response to the raids, masked individuals fired shots at the police, set fire to at least one building, and had stolen livestock. He also called the events highly regrettable and indicated that while “We will help all communities [with their land claims], we will give no special privileges to anyone, much less to those who choose the path of violence.”