Chileans demand investigation into whereabouts of Mapuche leader

Indigenous, environmental, and humanitarian organizations arrived at La Moneda Palace to demand that the Chilean State expedite the investigation into the whereabouts of Julia Chuñil, who disappeared more than two months ago.   

The 73-year-old Mapuche leader is president of the commune of Putreguel, in the southern region of Los Ríos, and was last seen on November 8 when she left her home.

“All we want is to find our mother and hopefully alive,” said her son Pablo San Martín at a press conference, who said in an interview with Prensa Latina: “My mother always told us that if something happened to her, only one person would be guilty. That is in the investigation submitted to the Prosecutor and which is being kept confidential.” He added: “On the day of her disappearance, we went out to look for her on the hill and found traces of a van “.

Julia Chuñil has stood out for defending ancestral lands and native forests. A long history of conflicts with extractive companies marks a long history of conflicts with extractive companies.

Relatives, neighbors, and friends, along with firefighters, police, investigative police, drones, airplanes, and helicopters, have participated so far in her search.

“They took my mother out of the field because we searched for her throughout the area and we couldn’t find her,” said her son.

The protesters asked the Government to guarantee the appearance of the indigenous leader alive, punish those responsible, and protect those who are dedicated to the defense of the land.

Social organizations and families were received by the senator and human rights defender, Fabiola Campillai. They also met with the Ethics Commission against Torture and the regional representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jan Jarab.