Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s government decrees re-militarisation of troubled southern region of La Araucanía, in the face of mounting violence linked to territorial claims by Mapuche indigenous groups.

The Chilean government has ordered the redeployment of the nation’s military to the restive La Araucanía region in the south of the country, in the face of mounting violence linked to territorial claims by Mapuche indigenous groups.

“We have decided to use all tools to guarantee security,” Interior Minister Izkia Siches said after announcing the move on Monday.

Soldiers were deployed to Araucanía and to towns in the neighboring Biobío region in October last year on the orders of conservative then-president Sebastián Piñera (2018-2022).

New leader Gabriel Boric promised to withdraw the soldiers while campaigning for the presidency earlier this year and the process began on March 27.