Through a statement, the Arauco Malleco Coordinator confirmed the fall in action of the weichafe Alvaro Quinchanao, who was run over by a forestry truck during a sabotage action, last Tuesday, May 19 in Nueva Imperial.
Below we share the full statement:
CAM PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
As Arauco Malleco-CAM Coordinator, we inform our Mapuche nation people and public opinion in general, the fall in struggle of our peñi Alvaro Quinchanao Hueche, on the night of Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during an action of resistance and sabotage against the forestry industry.
It is within the framework of this action, when the driver of a truck from a company hired by Forestal Mininco, brutally and mercilessly ran over our peñi at kilometer 11 of route 488, Pichi Boroa sector of the Nueva Imperial commune, La Araucanía Region. The cruelty of the attack responds to the impunity that the Chilean State offers to those who act to protect capitalist interests in our disputed territories.
After this, being injured, our peñi was immediately assisted by those who accompanied him and later taken to a place so that they could communicate with the SAMU. However, at the time of their arrival, our peñi was already lifeless.
In accordance with our ethics of political action as CAM, at no time did the Weichafe attempt to attack the truck drivers who were at the scene of the incident with irrational violence. For the CAM, an action of sabotage never implies putting the lives of workers at risk, and this time it was no different. Despite that, the outcome was cruel as a result of the truck driver’s criminal actions.
Our beloved weichafe Alvaro Quinchanao “Quincha”, as he was known to us, was one of the most outstanding fighters of the CAM, humble and always willing to fight. Coming from a Mapuche community, he worked as a professional psychologist and actively participated in the organization’s activities and in the territorial recovery processes.
Today our pain is great. Quincha, weichafe, son of enormous value of our people, offered his life for the Mapuche cause and the freedom of Mapuche political prisoners, during an action against big capital.
He will never stop living in our chest and in that of his people!!
Kiñe füta pagko ka fenren newen to his reñma.
Amulepe taiñ weichan!!!
CAM
Sent to La Zarzamora