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Original article: Multitudinario adiós a José «Pepe» Araya en Valdivia: un legado que marcó la defensa de los DDHH y el medio ambiente

Massive Farewell to José «Pepe» Araya in Valdivia

An emotional day unfolded on Friday, April 3rd, within the Valdivia community, as hundreds gathered to bid farewell to José «Pepe» Araya Cornejo, a historic social leader whose passion encompassed human rights, memory, environmental stewardship, heritage, and culture. Representatives from social organizations, authorities, family, and friends paid tribute during a procession that began from his riverside home.

The caravan made two poignant stops: first at the exFabrika, a space reclaimed for cultural activities and human rights commemorations where Araya played a crucial role, and then at the memory site «La Mano», located in the Rubén Darío neighborhood, which honors the nine members of MIR executed during the Alfa Carbón operation by the CNI in August 1984. The procession concluded at Parque Catrico, an area that Araya himself helped protect as a leader advocating for wetland conservation.

«Pepe Araya was not just an ordinary neighbor; he was an irreplaceable leader. He worked across multiple sectors related to human rights, decentralization, regionalism, environmental issues, local production, culture, and the arts,» stated Mayor Carla Amtmann, who declared three days of communal mourning. The authority added: «He was the leader of the Action for the Swans movement, which marked a significant turning point in the history of environmental battles in our country.»

During the event, various figures spoke, including former deputy Hugo Gutiérrez, representatives from exFabrika, environmental collectives, groups of the disappeared, and human rights organizations. One of the most heartfelt speeches came from Antonia Araya, the daughter of the late leader.

The tribute also featured diverse musical and cultural groups that came together to honor him.

José «Pepe» Araya was transferred early on Saturday, April 4th, to the city of Osorno for cremation, marking the close of a farewell that reflected the vastness of his legacy in advocating for human rights, environmental heritage, and the memory of the Los Ríos region.

José Araya Cornejo: A Commitment Embracing Human Rights, Memory, Environment, Heritage, and Culture

José «Pepe» Araya Cornejo, born in Puerto Montt in 1963 and a Valdivia resident since 1984, passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2026. An historian from the Universidad Austral de Chile, he served as the executive secretary of CODEPU in Valdivia during the 1980s, investigating regional repression and serving as a pivotal figure in the pursuit of truth, justice, and reparations.

His vocation also led him to environmental activism, being a pioneer in the Action for the Swans movement and the executive secretary of the Wetland Community Association, instrumental in recognizing Valdivia as the first Wetland City in Latin America.

“We Lose an Essential Social Actor”

When the news broke, Valdivia Mayor Carla Amtmann declared communal mourning and expressed with sorrow on social media: «Dear Pepe! There are no words or consolation, only admiration and gratitude. My question is, what will we do without you? A companion in battles, with a deep love for Valdivia, Los Ríos, its people, and wetlands.»

From the audiovisual world, the Valdivia Cinematographic Promotion Center and FICValdivia stated, “Pepe was not only an unwavering defender of human rights, heritage, and our environment; he was a reference for all who believe in a fairer world. We lose an essential social actor.”

Living Legacy in Various Struggles

The Citizen Observatory, where he was a founding member, recalled: “Pepe was an example of commitment and consistency, whose mark will remain alive in our collective memory. His work was pivotal in supporting significant processes for the defense and promotion of rights.” ATV Valdivia bade farewell to him as a “guardian of the territory and a forerunner in environmental defense,” highlighting his warmth and support for regional media. Farewell, Pepe Araya.

The Universidad Austral de Chile, mourning his passing, emphasized his extensive ties to movements promoting “human rights, heritage, memory, and environmental defense in the Los Ríos region. We deeply appreciate and value his immense legacy and journey as an alumnus of UACh in History, Geography, and Civic Education at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities. His alma mater will hold a space for recognition and learning for the civic movement.”

It also highlighted that Pepe “had a long trajectory in the CPCV and FICValdivia and was a regional councilor of the Council of the Arts and Audiovisual Industry (CAIA).”

Reactions to Pepe Araya’s Passing:

Photography: Diario de Valdivia

The Valdivian community not only said goodbye to José «Pepe» Araya with a massive procession, but his close ones and representatives from various social movements have expressed profound sorrow over the void left by a fundamental figure in the recent history of the region, whose work was crucial for the creation of environmental laws and specialized courts.

Ximena Rosales, expressed the impact of this loss in statements collected by the Diario de Valdivia: “This has been a very painful moment; Pepe Araya’s sudden departure was a surprise. We don’t say this only from the perspective of people who know him closely—his family, friends, and comrades—but I feel we lose an important social, environmental, and human rights leader in the city.” Rosales highlighted that Araya, originally from Puerto Montt but adopted Valdivian after studying History at Universidad Austral, left behind a legacy that is hard to match.

His participation in the Action for the Swans, following the environmental disaster in the Cruces River, not only marked a local turning point but also led to the creation of institutions such as environmental courts and wetland protection laws. Regarding this, Rosales added: “A defense of the territory was established. There was a city project aimed at designing the kind of city we wanted to live in after the environmental disaster. José was a precursor in strengthening alternative productive initiatives.” She further noted that “he wanted to see development in the region and played a fundamental role in the entire regionalization process.”

Meanwhile, Víctor Robles, president of the La Mano collective, stated to the same outlet that the news profoundly impacted the community: “We know how important Pepe was for several social and environmental movements, and we are here supporting the family amidst the deep sorrow of knowing that one of the most important leaders in the Los Ríos region has left.” Robles described him as a cross-cutting leader capable of dialoguing with all sectors and recognized internationally.

“Although he was one of those carrying the banner of struggle for social movements and human rights, he was a cross-cutting leader. He spoke with everyone, he met with everyone, and he had no issue in that regard. He was a very important person who is leaving us today… José was someone who dialogued with all,” Robles reflected, echoing the sentiments of a community bidding farewell to someone they consider to be an irreplaceable leader in the defense of territory, human rights, and the natural heritage of Los Ríos.

La entrada Massive Farewell to José «Pepe» Araya in Valdivia: A Legacy Shaping Human Rights and Environmental Advocacy se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.