A devastating fire that ripped through 600 hectares of Argentina's Los Alerces National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site – was intentionally set, officials confirmed Sunday. 🚨 Governor Ignacio Torres of Chubut Province called the destruction 'heartbreaking' after surveying the damage by air.
'Those responsible will face justice,' Torres declared, demanding 'exemplary measures' for the arsonists. Authorities allege the Mapuche Ancestral Resistance (RAM), a group advocating for indigenous land rights, may have sparked the blaze. Torres emphasized the distinction between indigenous communities and what he called 'criminal actors exploiting false causes.'
The fire highlights growing tensions over land use in Argentina's Patagonia region, where environmental protection clashes with historical disputes over territory. 🌍 While investigations continue, the incident raises urgent questions about safeguarding natural treasures from human conflict.
