I recently reported on a video released by Chilean officials which shows arsonists igniting fires in Collipulli, Chile. Shortly after, local firefighters contacted me and described who they believed were starting these fires. That conversation is posted above.
Multiple firefighters expressed that “CAM” or The Coordinadora Arauco Malleco are starting these fires. The Chilean Government has designated this group a terrorist organization. Global NGOs {Non-Governmental Organizations}, as well as the U.N., have said that designation was extreme and created an unjust witch hunt against the Mapuche people.
The locals on the ground I spoke with described CAM as Eco-Terrorists and claimed that they burn farms, forests, and kill animals and people.
CAM themselves say they are a Mapuche indigenous organization based in the region of La Araucanía in southern Chile. CAM voiced that they work to advocate for the rights of the Mapuche people and the protection of their ancestral lands, and it is one of the country's most active and influential Mapuche organizations. In 2021 CAM officially declared war on all capitalist groups in the south-central region, including the forestry industry. The group says that was needed to reclaim lands that were stolen from them dating back to the 16th Century.
The CAM is known in Chile for its activism, which includes demonstrations and direct actions to reclaim lands. The organization has faced criticism from the Chilean government, which accused them of violent acts such as arson and property damage, which is why they deemed them a terrorist organization. However, the CAM and its supporters have maintained that their actions are legitimate resistance against state-sponsored violence and cultural oppression.
All of that said, the local firefighters say their current government actually turns a blind eye to this activity and that “CAM can attack the people and lands freely.” They also claim the government has connections linking them to CAM.
I have been highlighting the arson in South America all season. We also covered the wide-ranging arson reported by locals in Bolivia here.
One thing is for sure; there is a complicated political mess happening in Chile. It is clear that arsonists are causing some of the recent wildfires there. Local firefighters blame the group CAM and clearly state they believe they are ECO terrorists.
A thought I had after the conversation with the locals…
Before I spoke with local firefighters currently on the ground, people connected with NGOs were adamant in telling me, “there is NO arson happening in Chile.” Multiple folks messaged me and told me this.
Then this afternoon, officials released the arson video, and firefighters started to contact me. A very interesting situation.
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Exclusive Interview: Local Chilean Firefighters Claim Eco-Terrorists are Behind Some of the Recent Wildfires.