Fugitive Mapuche Werkén Jorge Huenchullán Arrested at Temucuicui in Major Joint Military-Police Operation

On May 19, 2026, a major joint operation by the Chilean Army, Carabineros, and the PDI (civilian police) resulted in the arrest of Jorge Huenchullán Cayul (49), werkén (spokesperson) of the Autonomous Community of Temucuicui in Ercilla, Araucanía. Huenchullán had been a fugitive since 2021, wanted on charges of drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. He was extracted by helicopter from his residence along with his partner Carolina Padilla Manquel, who also faces charges. The operation came five days after the Temucuicui community filed formal accusations against Carabineros for evidence planting during the May 14 armed raid on the community school. His arrest drew immediate criticism from Mapuche organizations and human rights advocates, who characterized it as part of a systematic pattern of state criminalization of the community's leadership. The operation unfolded under the state of emergency that has continuously governed Araucanía since May 2022, expanded under President Kast.