21-04-2025
Chile to use terror law to pursue China project attackers
Chile will use an anti-terrorism law to pursue those responsible for an arson attack on a Chinese-owned power project in the south, one of the most destructive attacks in decades in a region plagued by violence over indigenous rights.
The incident occurred early on Sunday when 12 unknown assailants allegedly threatened guards with weapons before setting fire to about 50 vehicles and pieces of machinery at the Rulcahue hydroelectric project in the Bio Bio region.
China sees the incident as undermining its companies' confidence in the South American country, the Chinese embassy said. Chile is a major exporter to China of everything from copper to fruit, with the Asian nation investing in Chile as past of its global infrastructure push.
As of yesterday, no arrests had been made and no group had claimed responsibility.
China International Water & Electric Corp - a construction and engineering unit of state-owned China Three Gorges Corp - is developing the 90-megawatt project, with work about 20 percent complete.
Security minister Luis Cordero said the government will file a complaint under Chile's anti-terrorism law, which expands police powers to investigate and allows for tougher sentencing.
BLOOMBERG
