Chuñir had been fighting for years to protect 900 hectares of indigenous forest in Mafil, in the Los Rios region, a reason for which she had been the target of verbal and physical attacks, even death threats by a local entrepreneur, according to neighbors and family members.

The 73-year-old woman and president of the Mapuche community of Putreguel was last seen on November 8, when she left home to feed the animals.

Her disappearance is suspected to be linked to a third person, rather than a coincidental event after car tracks were discovered near a deserted area.

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