A devastating fire struck the area of Epuyén in March 2021, consuming thousands of hectares of native forest. This tragic event triggered a series of questions and debates regarding the relationship between the fire and the history of the company 'Bosques de Epuyén,' owned by a businessman who had acquired land in the region since the 1970s.
The businessman, known as Sánchez Cabezudo, obtained forestry concessions during the military dictatorship and later became involved in a business that involved the afforestation with Ponderosa pine. Subsequently, the company underwent shareholder changes and the incorporation of foreign capital, maintaining exploitation permits like that of Rincón del Aceite in Corcovado.
A connection was established between the wildfires, the eviction of Mapuche communities, and the actions of federal forces in the area. All of this generated political and social tensions, exacerbated by attempts to divert attention from the responsibilities surrounding the fire and the territorial conflicts in the region.
While the community worked hard to contain the flames, suspicions arose about possible extractivist interests behind the fires and the territorial conflicts. The presence of abandoned pine forests as a trigger for the scale of the fire raised questions about the forestry and real estate business models in the region.
Amid accusations, media operations, and punitive discourses, the situation became increasingly complex. The presence of security and military forces in the region, along with controversial statements from government officials, created an atmosphere of tension and harassment towards the affected communities, fueling divisive and exclusionary discourses.
In this context, questions arise about the interests behind the fires, territorial disputes, and political decisions in the region. Confusion, selective silences, and distraction strategies become key elements in the official narrative, while the community struggles to cope with the consequences of a large-scale environmental disaster.
