SANTIAGO, Chile — An elderly couple whose family’s vast landholdings have long been targeted by Mapuche Indians in southern Chile were killed in an arson attack early Friday while trying to defend their home.
President Sebastian Pinera quickly flew to the scene and announced new security measures, including the application of Chile’s tough anti-terrorism law and the creation of a special police anti-terror unit backed by Chile’s military.
No one claimed responsibility for the attack, which some Mapuche Indians repudiated Friday as senseless and abhorrent. But Chile’s interior minister said pamphlets condemning police violence and demanding the return of Mapuche lands were left at the scene.
The presidentially appointed governor of the remotesouthern region of Araucania, Andres Molina, called the attackers “savages.”
“This attack affects the entire country and causes gigantic damage, for the pain and the delays that it means for thousands of families who want to live in peace,” Pinera said.
“This government is united in its effort to combat terrorism that affects the region. We will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law.”
“It should be completely clear,” Pinera added, “that this fight is not against the Mapuche people. It’s with a minority of violent terrorists who must be fought with everything the law allows.”
Werner Luchsinger, 75, fired a weapon in self-defense and struck a man from the nearby Mapuche community of Juan Quintrupil before his home burned to the ground, regional Police Chief Ivan Bezmalinovic said.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 01/05/2013