Chile's Current Administration
As seen here in this photo, current President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, was visiting the Auracania region of Chile. She is aware of the increase in violence that is being seen in the area lately, and is working to create a solution based off of different information and possibilities she was given by her councillors. What was essentially found later this year, was that there was a possibility that the Mapuche have not been behind the attacks, the fires, and the violence, but rather another group who is racist and discriminatory towards the Mapuche. They could have been doing this in an attempt to create more fuel in the metaphorical fire between the two communities, and to have the government take a stand in enforcing more sharper rules. What was also found was that there were a large number of areas along the Argentine and Chilean border that could have given way for these specific attacks to take place. There was one specific incident where Chilean officials knew that an attack was going to happen through a group based out of Argentina, and when it did happen, the Mapuche were presented still to take the fall and the blame, as well as the resulting repercussions and even harsher treatment in society. Due to a new series of laws as well within Chile, a lot of these acts that are happening are now considered terrorist acts, and people who hold true beliefs about the Mapuche being the blame, are taking this in stride and now claiming the indigenous group is really a terrorist cell. While President Bachelet has been trying to dispel these accusations, it is hard when other Presidential candidates are working effortlessly to condemn the group. Sebastian Pinera, who has been president before, is one of the easiest examples for this occurrence. He is a wealthy business man who has made a lot of money off of real estate and other ventures, so it makes sense in some eyes that he wants the Mapuche gone, in order to capitalize more off the land they would leave. Because of these possible actions, the rhetoric of his entire campaign has so far been about improving these laws so there are no more terrorist acts and communities can live free and in peace. This rhetoric is dangerous for the candidate to be using so freely because of all the different pieces that fit into this story. In addition, there is another candidate, Alejandro Guillier, who is extremely passionate about land reforms for the Mapuche and giving them their ancestral rights back. He is not the most popular candidate, but still provides an option for those in society who do not have the same prejudices regarding the Mapuche.
In Conclusion
The Mapuche are a proud people who have lasted and have been durable for centuries upon centuries, always facing different forms of adversity from society and the government. They have a will to survive that has been seen through their everlasting culture, language, and subcultures within their culture. They will prevail through this struggle for land rights, because there is no other option for them. In order to keep preserving their life and memories, histories and traditions, they will persevere through all the hardships and conflicts.