Police rule out terrorist re-grouping in La Araucanía

SANTIAGO.- Amidst the numerous conflicts that have arisen over recent weeks in the south of the country stemming from problems with the Mapuche community, the General Director of Police, Humberto Gordon, assured that he has no information concerning a possible joining of forces among terrorist groups in La Araucanía.

While referring to the matter, Gordon told Radio AND that he "doesn't have any formal evidence to support that".

Gordon then stated, "there has been talk of groups joining forces, but I don't have any hard evidence, and I am being very frank about that" and indicated that police are "consistently working in the area; we have access to everywhere within our jurisdiction".

The general also stated that, despite the ongoing work being carried out in the area, the police have not run into difficulties completing their normal functions and stressed that they have received much support from the communities themselves in hopes of preventing criminal acts.

Gordon also mentioned, "it is true that at times we have had some confrontations, but it is due to the role that we have to play in those instances; in other aspects however, especially with regards to prevention, we haven't had any problems".