Colombian Authorities Capture Suspected Mastermind Behind Peru Mine Killings**

Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, allegedly behind the brutal killings, was apprehended in Medellin, Colombia as tensions rise over illegal mining violence in the region.**

In a significant development, Colombian police have apprehended Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, known by the nickname "Cuchillo" (Knife), who is alleged to be the principal suspect in the horrifying murder of 13 mine workers in Peru. His arrest took place in Medellin during a collaborative operation involving Peruvian authorities and Interpol. The miners' bodies were discovered on May 4, entombed within a tunnel in the Pataz district, an area notorious for its rampant mining-related violence.

Rodríguez Díaz has faced accusations of orchestrating a violent takeover at the mine, reportedly with the intention of seizing the valuable gold being extracted by the miners. A lawyer representing him has publicly denied any involvement in the killings. According to Peru's Ministry of the Interior, Díaz is charged with serious offenses including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and homicide.

Authorities shared video evidence capturing Díaz's dramatic arrest by heavily armed police officers in a crowded Medellin locale. Colombian police chief Carlos Triana announced that this successful capture was made possible through cooperation with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency as well as an existing Interpol red notice. It is anticipated that the extradition process for Díaz to face justice in Peru will commence shortly.

This incident marks the latest in a string of violent outbreaks linked to illegal mining operations in the region, where criminal gangs operate with impunity. La Poderosa, the mining company involved, has reported that 39 individuals connected to their operations have been killed by these gangs in Pataz. Following this recent tragedy, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has enacted a nighttime curfew in Pataz and suspended mining activities for a month, augmenting the police and military presence in the area to restore order in a landscape plagued by violence.