President Dina Boluarte enforces a night-time curfew and halts mining activities in Pataz province after 13 mine workers were brutally killed by alleged gang members last week. The situation highlights ongoing violence and conflict between illegal and legal mining operations.
Peru Implements Curfew Following Brutal Kidnapping of Mine Workers
Peru Implements Curfew Following Brutal Kidnapping of Mine Workers
The government acts to restore order in Pataz province after the tragic killing of 13 miners linked to criminal gangs.
The Peruvian government has announced a night-time curfew for the Pataz province, where the tragic deaths of 13 mine workers have drawn national outrage. This decision comes after the victims were reportedly kidnapped by criminal gangs, a claim made by local authorities following the grim discovery of their remains last Sunday.
President Dina Boluarte revealed that not only would there be a curfew but also a one-month suspension of mining activities in the area, complemented by the deployment of additional police and military personnel. This crackdown aims to address the burgeoning influence of criminal gangs that have plagued Pataz, a region over 800 kilometers (500 miles) from Lima, the capital.
The company that operates the mine, La Poderosa, stated that the workers had been ensnared by "illegal miners collaborating with criminals" on April 26. Disturbingly, it was reported that these individuals were attempting to resist an armed incursion into the mine by rival factions. Disturbing footage shared by the kidnappers depicted the men restrained and vulnerable, igniting widespread anger across Peru as families were taunted for ransom payments.
In a haunting revelation, forensic evidence indicated that the miners had been executed at close range, raising further alarms about the rampant violence in Pataz. Local prosecutor Luis Guillermo Bringas stated that the region is witnessing a "war for mining pits," highlighting the ongoing conflict between illegal and legal mining enterprises, which has escalated despite a state of emergency being in place since February 2024.
La Poderosa reported that a total of 39 individuals associated with the company have fallen victim to gang violence, illustrating a deteriorating security landscape in what is a vital mining area. The community's safety and future hang precariously as the government seeks to restore order in the midst of chaos and fear.
