Murders turn Chile police anniversary into mourning
STORY: Many gathered in the capital Santiago to show support for the Carabineros, as the Chilean police is called, hours following the ambush. Among them, Jackeline Marin said everyone at the march had wanted to celebrate the "super special day", and was sad that they couldn't because of the deadly attack.
It occurred in the municipality of Canete, in Arauco province, after the officers responded to three false emergency calls, authorities said, adding that they were attacked with heavy-caliber weapons while in their vehicle, which was also set on fire.
President Boric travelled to the region to give his condolences to authorities and officers there, while declaring three days of national mourning. Government footage showed him speaking at a ceremony for the officers, where he vowed to use all legal means to bring the attackers to justice.
There are long-standing tensions between the state and the South American country's Mapuche Indigenous people in the region where the ambush took place. Local media reports said the area is a conflict zone that has suffered from attacks against farmers, Mapuche residents and officers in recent years.
