Injected with an unidentified substance

Attack on a Mapuche Chief

On the 26th March, Chief José Regle Calhueque (Mapuche territorial authority) of the Cano Antinao community was attacked in the early hours of the morning. While making the routine journey from his home to round up the animals on his land, he was suddenly accosted by three men, their faces hidden by balaclavas. After struggling with them, he felt paralysis enter his whole body. His assailants had injected an unknown substance into his chest. These events took place in the region of Victoria , where a commando group that calls itself  "Comando Hernán Trizano" began its paramilitary activities a few years ago.

By Azkintuwe Noticias / Monday 4th April 2005

In the cowardly attack, Chief Regle Calhueque was injected in the thoracic cavity with an unidentified substance, this being the apparent cause of the momentary paralysis of his entire body. He was taken to hospital in Victoria but due to the serious nature of his condition was then transferred to the Regional Hospital of Temuco, where he is now recovering and in a stable condition, according to the Community Association Mülulche Kimün. This organisation is composed of 38 Mapuche communities in the municipality of Victoria , all of whom have expressed their utter repudiation of this serious assault that once again involves one of our ancestral authorities.

With regard to this matter, the Mapuche Association has issued a public declaration to the Ministry of Justice, demanding that the Government appoint a full-time independent investigative body in order to shed light upon this unusual and serious murder attempt directed against Mapuche authority, and to bring to justice those involved. Leaked information suggests that the attack is related to this Mapuche community's land claims, a struggle led by this chief. According to the Association Mülulche Kimün, the doctors have yet to determine the nature of the substance that was administered to him.

Faced with this critical situation, the Mapuche Association of Victoria has made a public statement through its executive committee, headed by Isaías Colihuinca and through the members of the group, who expressed their unease and concern in relation to the attack. "As chief, leaders and Mapuche individuals belonging to this Community Association, we declare our utter repudiation of these events, and also our sorrow, seeing as it is a question of the life of our brother, who is an authority in the community and is recognised as such both locally and regionally. Likewise, we support the just land claims of our Mapuche brothers in the Mariluan Territory ."

Armando Marileo, Ngenpin, philosophical and spiritual authority of Pangku-Budi in the Lafkenche Territory and coordinator of the "Congress of Authorities from the Mapuche Nation" feels concerned by this cowardly assault and has stated that it is essential to hold an opinion on this matter due to its great seriousness. Although Marileo admits that these events could be seen as a one-off, he claims that physical attacks on Mapuche leaders and traditional authorities are happening recurrently. "Only the methods change constantly" he added.

For its part, the Coordination of Mapuche Organisations and Territorial Identities declared its solidarity and support for the demands made by the Association Mülulche Kimün of Victoria and declared that this assault should put organisations and communities "on the alert" faced with a new form of repression. It also emphasised the importance of doing all that is necessary so that this new attack does not go unpunished, as has happened in numerous other cases concerning individuals and communities of the Mapuche Nation.

"It is incomprehensible that such a serious and dangerous incident should result in absolute indifference in public opinion. Where is the protection of the basic human rights of people here?" demanded the Mapuche Coordination. It is worth pointing out that the fears of these organisations are not unfounded. Only a few years ago, in the same region of Victoria , a group of farming businessmen created a commando group known as "Comando Hernán Trizano", an organisation that has been denounced by the Mapuche people as "paramilitary" and whose objectives specifically include the indimidation of community leaders. / Azkintuwe

Translated by Anna Harvey
Mapuche International Link

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