Chilean authorities made a major breakthrough in the murder investigation of three police officers in southern Chile on Sunday. Three suspects were arrested in the area where the massacre occurred on Saturday, marking the worst incident in recent history for the Carabineros and shocking the country. The investigations are focusing on radicalized Mapuche sectors as the alleged perpetrators of the incident, although the government has not ruled out other leads.
The intense police operation leading to the triple arrest took place in Cañete, a southern region of Bio Bio, where the homicide and subsequent burning of the bodies of officers Carlos Cisterna, Sergio Arévalo, and Misael Vidal occurred. The identities of the suspects were not reported. The area is known for frequent clashes between violent sectors of the Mapuche community and state forces over land disputes.
President Gabriel Boric condemned the attack as a “terrorist act” and vowed to use all legal tools to ensure that those responsible receive maximum sentences in light of a growing security crisis in Chile. The town of Cañete is located about 500 kilometers south of Santiago and was celebrating its 97th anniversary at the time of attack.
In addition to this incident, Hector Llaitul, a leader from Araucano-Malleco Coordinator group was found guilty by court for various charges including “violent usurpation” and “attack against authority.” He risks up to 25 years imprisonment. The government announced that it will file a complaint against those responsible for triple murder seeking highest penalties for their crimes. Cañete has been under state emergency since May 2022 due to attacks by armed groups.
Minister of Interior Carolina Tohá described