The government has sparked a political firestorm in the Biobío Region following the appointment of Pedro Roberto Marileo Lavín as the new presidential delegate for the Arauco Province. The appointment, pushed by the Social Christian Party (PSC), has triggered immediate backlash from factions within the Independent Democratic Union (UDI).
Marileo, who is a physical education teacher and holds a degree in business administration, has a history of activism within the Mapuche cause. As reported by El Mostrador, his political track record includes unsuccessful bids for mayor of Tirúa in 2021 and 2024, the latter as a representative of Evópoli. In previous years, he publicly demanded the resignation of former Carabineros General Hermes Soto and petitioned then-President Sebastián Piñera for the restitution of 28,000 hectares to the Antonio Paillao community, where he served as a 'werkén' (spokesperson).
Former Intendant Jacqueline van Rysselberghe described the decision as a "huge, huge mistake." According to the former senator, the executive branch cannot appoint an official who has previously championed concepts like the "Mapuche nation" and endorsed episodes of violence.
Backing Under Scrutiny
Political sources identify Concepción Mayor Héctor Muñoz as the primary architect of this appointment. Muñoz, leader of the evangelical movement that supports the PSC, defends the move, asserting that President José Antonio Kast has placed his full confidence in Marileo for the region.
The controversy extends beyond the political sphere. Privately, members of the security forces have expressed apprehension regarding the new official's profile. The Arauco province is a critical territory, marked by the recent murder of three police officers in April 2024. Furthermore, El Mostrador highlights that the Cañete Guarantee Court is currently holding a trial preparation hearing for 19 members of the Mapuche Lafkenche Resistance (RML) regarding the 2022 attack on the Grollmus Mill—an event labeled as "terrorist" by the government at the time.
Congresswoman Flor Weisse (UDI) took to the social network X to demand a reversal. "This appointment of the Arauco Provincial Delegate, who has defended leftist ideas, is unacceptable. I call on President JAK to acknowledge this error and appoint a different authority for the province," the lawmaker wrote.
When asked about his past ties to radicalized groups, Marileo avoided giving a clear answer. Meanwhile, internal tension within the right-wing coalition is mounting, with UDI factions accusing the PSC of prioritizing pragmatic interests over ideological consistency in a region where security is the primary concern for residents.