# Mapuche land disputes in Villa La Angostura

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mapuche-land-disputes-in-villa-la-angostura
> Updated: 2026-09-08T13:29:31.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

Land disputes involving Mapuche communities in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, have seen significant judicial activity. Initial reports indicated that legal proceedings led to the partial eviction of the Quintriqueo community from a field located 35 kilometers from the town, stemming from a process initiated in 2011. Other regional disputes involving the Paicil Antriao community and properties linked to high-profile individuals remained in various stages of litigation or appeal before the Supreme Court.

Following these developments, a court suspended the scheduled eviction of the Kinxikew and Melo Mapuche communities because the procedure could not be completed according to required legal terms. Defense attorney Virgilio Sánchez described the attempt as “frustrated,” and a judge ruled that any future eviction attempts would require a new judicial order. In response, the defense proposed seeking a mediated solution through arbitration under the Neuquén Procedural Code.

Recent developments show active resistance from the Melo community regarding more than 600 hectares of land. Lucas Melo, the lonko of the community, led resistance against an eviction attempt involving the Neuquén Police and the Gendarmería Nacional. Melo characterized the conflict as a continuation of the historical ‘Conquest of the Desert,’ pitting Mapuche claims of constitutional pre-existence against the interests of business, political, and judicial actors, including a Belgian family claiming ownership. Melo emphasized that the state owes a debt to indigenous peoples to address historical land dispossession.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Mapuche community resists eviction in Patagonia

Mapuche leader Lucas Melo is resisting eviction attempts in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, describing the land dispute as a continuation of historical dispossession in Patagonia.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mapuche-community-resists-eviction-in-patagonia

### 2026-08-26: Villa La Angostura court suspends Mapuche community evictions

A court suspended the eviction of the Kinxikew and Melo Mapuche communities in Villa La Angostura after the procedure failed to meet legal requirements.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/villa-la-angostura-court-suspends-mapuche-community-evictions

### 2026-08-21: Villa La Angostura land disputes see partial eviction and ongoing legal battles

Judicial rulings in Villa La Angostura have resulted in a partial eviction of the Quintriqueo community, while other land disputes involving the Paicil Antriao community and private owners remain in court.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/villa-la-angostura-land-disputes-see-partial-eviction-and-ongoing-legal-battles

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Cite as: Mapuche land disputes in Villa La Angostura. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mapuche-land-disputes-in-villa-la-angostura