Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Confrontation of Mapuche Protesters and Local Residents in Chile Turn Violent

VOA News

   In southern Chile aconfrontationbetweenMapucheindigenous
   protestersandresidentsturned violent Sunday.

   Severalgovernmentbuildings in the AraucanÃa regionweredamagedas the
   violence erupted.

   Local media reported that residents tried to
   forcetheMapucheprotestersout ofthe municipality buildings, before
   burning andoverturning vehiclesbelonging tothem.

   Chilean police intervened to evict the protesters and prevent other
   violent acts.

   Interior Undersecretary Juan Galli saidthat authorities arrested48
   peopleduring such"absolutely condemnable" unrest.

   TheMapucheprotesters had occupied local government buildings for
   several daysin a show of support for one of their
   leaders,CelestinoCórdova, who is onahunger strike in prison, and
   otherMapucheindividuals whomthey consider political prisoners.'¯

   The nativeMapuchepopulation, most of whomlive in poverty, havebeenin
   conflict withauthoritiessincetheSpanish conquistadorsforced them into
   AraucanÃain the late 19th centuryafter some 300 years of conflict.

.