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Original article: Represalia tras visita del INDH: presos mapuche denuncian castigo y aislamiento de vocero en Cárcel de Angol

Two days after a delegation from the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH) visited the Angol Preventive Detention Center, Mapuche prisoners in Module E reported a direct retaliation against them. According to a statement released by the inmates themselves, high-ranking officials from Gendarmerie violently entered the module in the morning, conducted a selective raid, and took spokesperson Nicolás Ángel Marillán out in handcuffs, transferring him to a punishment cell under inhumane conditions, with a wet floor and total isolation.

The operation, which inmates claim occurred while they were having breakfast without any provocation, involved captains and other high-ranking officers, a fact that drew attention due to its unusual composition.

In their statement, they denounced that the gendarmes acted with total arrogance, aggression, and evident racism towards the Mapuche community members detained there, only searching the spaces of the module’s leaders and spokespersons.

“They made it clear from the start that their action was directed solely against those who have a voice, represent other inmates, and defend everyone’s rights,” they stated.

Amid this arbitrary action, the gendarmes took Marillán, who was treated in a manner that was “mocking, humiliating, and degrading.

According to the report, the officials directly threatened him that he would never return to Module E with his fellow inmates. By late afternoon, the inmates had no information about his whereabouts or condition, which they interpret as an attempt to dismantle any form of representation and leadership within the prison unit.

The Mapuche prisoners linked this episode to the visit from the INDH that took place just 48 hours prior. On that day, the community members were able to converse with the institute’s lawyer, express their daily situation, and formalize complaints about the mistreatment they endure.

“As a result of those conversations, having raised their voices and exposed the reality to the human rights organization, they are now being directly victimized by persecution, harassment, and punishment,” emphasized the Mapuche prisoners in their statement, indicating that any complaint within the prison is met with violence and isolation.

Regarding the punishment conditions, the inmates detailed that Marillán was placed in a cell with a wet floor, a common practice in that facility which they label as a violation of human rights and a cause of illness. “What they seek is to silence us, divide us, and make us pay for standing firm in who we are,” the statement read.

In light of this situation, the Mapuche prisoners issued an urgent call to the INDH for immediate intervention, urging them to verify the situation and file a protection request to remove their comrade from isolation, halt the persecution, and put an end to daily abuses.

They also called upon communities, organizations, and families to spread the word about what happened, demanding the return of Nicolás Ángel Marillán to Module E without further abuses. “Freedom for all Mapuche prisoners,” concludes the statement.

Below, the full statement:

PUBLIC STATEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, AND MAPUCHE PEOPLE.

From Module E of the Angol Prison, Wallmapu Territory
Tuesday, June 2, 2026

We inform our communities, families, and the entire Mapuche people about what happened this morning at the Angol Preventive Detention Center.

In the morning hours, when everyone was peacefully having breakfast and not doing anything wrong, high-ranking Gendarmerie officials violently and aggressively entered Module E. This action drew much attention due to the manner and personnel involved. They acted with total arrogance, aggression, and marked racism towards the Mapuche community members detained there. They conducted a selective raid: only intervening and searching the spaces of the module’s leaders and spokespersons, making it clear from the start that their action was directed solely at those who have a voice, represent others, and defend everyone’s rights.

Amid this arbitrary and abusive action, they took Peñi Nicolás Ángel Marillán, the spokesperson of the module. He was taken out in handcuffs and treated in a mocking, humiliating, and degrading manner by these officials, without any reason or justification. He was placed in a punishment cell, outside Module E, and they directly threatened him, saying he would never return to the module with his companions. By late afternoon today, absolutely nothing was known about his whereabouts or condition, leaving him in total defenselessness and isolation.

We denounce that this action clearly aims to totally dismantle the spokespersons and leaders of the module, punishing and separating those who fulfill the role of representing and asserting the rights of all.

We want to make clear and denounce to all of you: this is not a coincidence; it is a direct and calculated retaliation.

This occurred only two days after the visit of the National Institute for Human Rights (INDH), where the Mapuche community was able to speak with the institute’s lawyer, present their situation, and file formal complaints about everything happening and suffering in this place. As a result of those conversations, having raised their voices and exposed the reality to the human rights organization, they are now direct victims of persecution, harassment, and punishment by state agents, protected by the high command of this prison.

It must be made clear, and everyone should know: when we claim our rights as Mapuche, we are silenced, hunted, and punished. That is the reality lived inside. Raising one’s voice, demanding respect, defending what is rightfully ours, or denouncing before human rights organizations comes at the price of violence, isolation, and mistreatment.

We also denounce the inhumane conditions in which our Peñi Nicolás Ángel Marillán is held: he is in a punishment cell with a wet floor, a common practice in this prison that totally violates human rights, causing illnesses and physical harm solely to punish. What was done to him and to all today is proof that there is no respect for dignity, for the person, or for our identity. What they seek is to silence us, divide us, and make us pay for standing firm in who we are.

We make an urgent and direct call to the NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
You were here two days ago, heard the truth, and received the complaints. What is happening today is the direct response to that visit. We ask you to intervene immediately, to see the situation of the Mapuche community members in the Angol Prison, and to present the necessary actions, including a PROTECTION REQUEST, to stop this persecution, remove our comrade from that inhumane place, and put an end to the arbitrary actions and mistreatment that take place daily.

We also call on all communities, organizations, families, and those who support us: stay alert, spread the word about what is happening, because this is part of the constant pressure they exert to keep us silent. We demand the immediate return of our comrade Nicolás Ángel Marillán to Module E, without punishments, without further abuses, and an end to this persecution for defending our rights.

Freedom for all Mapuche prisoners!

Enough of repression and persecution against our brothers!

Amulepe taiñ weichan!
Marrichiweu.

La entrada Retaliation Following INDH Visit: Mapuche Prisoners Report Punishment and Isolation of Spokesperson in Angol Prison se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.