Four years of state of emergency and military presence in Wallmapu
On May 16, 2026, four years have passed since the beginning of the constitutional state of emergency in southern Chile, specifically in the territory known as Wallmapu. This legal measure has allowed for the permanent presence of military forces in four provinces of the region, with the aim of supervising public safety and controlling order in the area.
The state of emergency is a tool that allows the government to use the army for surveillance tasks in areas where there is internal conflict. In this case, the measure was implemented due to constant incidents of violence and historical clashes between the Chilean State and sectors of the Mapuche community claiming the return of their ancestral lands.
For various social organizations and local communities, these four years of constant surveillance represent a "second military occupation" of the territory. While authorities defend the measure as a necessary action to protect citizens and infrastructure, critics argue that militarization increases social tension and does not resolve the underlying problems.
During this period, the measure has been successively renewed by the National Congress. Despite political debates regarding its actual effectiveness in stopping the violence, military patrols and security checkpoints have become a regular part of daily life for the inhabitants of the affected provinces.
Reaching this fourth anniversary highlights the complexity of the conflict in southern Chile. The challenge for the near future remains finding a solution that guarantees peace and security in the region, seeking paths of dialogue that allow for progress beyond the presence of the armed forces in the territory.