While firefighters struggle to contain the raging fires that are consuming thousands of acres in the Patagonia region between Chile and Argentina, a new crisis with legal and political dimensions has emerged, with Israeli tourists being accused of starting these fires, whether through negligence or deliberately, bringing to mind similar past incidents that have sparked diplomatic and popular tensions in the region.
Arrest in Chile and criminal charges
Chilean media outlets, including CNN Chile, reported that on January 15, authorities arrested an Israeli tourist inside the renowned Torres del Paine National Park in the Magallanes region. The arrest came after the tourist was observed using a fire pit in the Dickson Camp area, a restricted zone where the use of any heat sources is prohibited due to its extreme environmental sensitivity and high risk of wildfires.
According to information from Radio BioBio, the suspect was transferred to the Public Prosecutor's Office and appeared before the Court of Guarantee in Puerto Natales. The court formally charged him with violating forestry laws and using heating sources in unauthorized protected areas. As a precautionary measure, judicial authorities imposed restrictions on the tourist's movements, including a travel ban and a requirement for weekly police reports to ensure he does not leave the country before the investigation is concluded.
Political and popular anger in Argentina
On the other side of the border, specifically in Argentina, the issue took a more serious turn, with suspicions turning into public accusations by prominent figures. Former Argentine Army Chief of Staff, César Melani, launched an attack via social media, accusing Israeli tourists of deliberately starting the series of fires raging in the southern region of Patagonia.
In a related context, former government official Luis Delia posted a video showing a local resident claiming to have tried to stop a group of Israeli citizens from setting fire to a vast forested area, further intensifying public resentment against tourists in those disaster-stricken areas.
Historical background: The ghost of the 2011 fire
The current angry reactions in Chile and Argentina cannot be separated from the painful historical memory of the region's inhabitants. In 2011, an Israeli tourist named Rotem Singer caused one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of Torres del Paine National Park, when his negligence resulted in the burning of more than 17,000 hectares of pristine forest, destroying vast areas of biodiversity that will take decades to recover.
That previous incident reinforced a state of extreme sensitivity among the authorities and local residents towards any environmental violations committed by tourists, especially those coming from Israel, as the Patagonia region is considered a favorite destination for Israeli travelers after they finish their military service.
Environmental significance and repercussions of the event
These fires are particularly dangerous because of the strategic and environmental importance of Patagonia, a region considered the world's green lung and home to rare plant and animal species. Whether deliberately set or caused by negligence, these fires result in significant economic losses to the tourism sector, on which local communities depend, in addition to the exorbitant costs of firefighting and reforestation.
