Chile: Police Siege Against Mapuche Communities After Death of Estate Owner

Businessman, wife die as home burns during attack believed by indigenous Mapuche

Chilean riot police raid a Mapuche village.

By Federico Quilodran, The Associated Press, Friday, January 4, 2013

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. The president 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.