Security measures doubled one year after death of Mapuche activist

SANTIAGO. -  The Undersecretary of Interior, Patricio Rosenda, has announced that security measures will be upped this weekend in the Araucanía zone on the one-year anniversary of the death of Mapuche activist Matías Catrileo, who was killed on January 3rd as the result of a gunshot wound to his back during a confusing confrontation involving police.

“The government feels it is important to maintain a feeling of calm among the population, especially in areas where there is any kind of conflict”, the undersecretary told Radio Cooperativa.

Police units will be given extra backup in the Mapuche conflict zone, while a Special Police Forces troop has also been sent to the area in order to protect fields and forest lands.

With regards to the progress that has been made in the investigation surrounding the death of the Mapuche activist, Rosende indicated that the police officer charged with the incident has been taken into custody, internally sanctioned and is being tried for the offense, “we hope that the public prosecutor will finish the investigation soon and we will have more information”.