As the nation grapples with the aftermath of a brutal murder of three police officers in southern Chile, authorities have arrested three suspects in the Cañete area. The incident marks the worst violence in recent history and has left many stunned. Investigations are ongoing, with radicalized Mapuche sectors being targeted as potential perpetrators.
However, the government is not ruling out any other leads. The intense police operation that led to the triple arrest took place in a region known for frequent clashes between violent Mapuche groups and state forces. The area is also infamous for lumber and drug smuggling mafias.
President Gabriel Boric described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and vowed to use all legal tools to ensure maximum punishment for those responsible amidst a growing security crisis in the country. The town of Cañete, where the tragedy occurred, is located about 500 kilometers south of Santiago and has been under a state of emergency since May 2022 due to attacks by armed groups.
The controversial issue of whether Carabineros head Ricardo Yáñez should step down from his position has also resurfaced amidst the turmoil. Yáñez has faced charges of illegal coercion during the 2019 protests but remains in office for now. The country is mourning and facing deep unrest following this tragic incident.
