In a coordinated effort between Colombian and Peruvian authorities, Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, also known as "Cuchillo," has been arrested in Medellin, Colombia, in connection with the murders of 13 miners at a gold mine in Peru. The ongoing violence within illegal mining operations calls for heightened security measures in the region.
Colombian Authorities Apprehend Suspect in Gruesome Peru Mine Murders
Colombian Authorities Apprehend Suspect in Gruesome Peru Mine Murders
The arrest of Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, linked to the killings of 13 mine workers in Peru, highlights ongoing violence in the region’s illegal gold mining sector.
Colombian police have successfully apprehended an individual believed to be the main suspect behind the brutal killings of 13 mine workers in Peru. Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, known by the alias "Cuchillo" (Spanish for knife), was taken into custody in Medellin, Colombia, during a joint operation involving law enforcement from both nations and Interpol, as confirmed by Peru's interior ministry and Colombian police.
The tragic discovery of the miners' bodies occurred on May 4, when law enforcement found them within a tunnel at a mine situated in Peru's Pataz district. According to officials, these workers had been dispatched to confront a group that had taken over the mine but were ambushed during their mission.
Rodríguez Díaz is thought to have orchestrated the unlawful storming of the mine's entrance with the intent to seize gold being extracted. He now faces multiple serious charges, including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated homicide. A video shared by authorities depicts his arrest by armed police in a bustling area of Medellin.
The Colombian police chief, Carlos Triana, indicated that the apprehension was executed with assistance from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and the suspect was under an Interpol red notice. The Peruvian government anticipates that Rodríguez Díaz will be extradited to their country shortly.
Compounding the tragedy, the mining company La Poderosa previously reported that a total of 39 individuals associated with their operations have been murdered by criminal organizations operating in Pataz. This alarming rise in violence prompted Peru's President Dina Boluarte to enact a nighttime curfew in the area and suspend mining activities for a month, also deploying additional police and military personnel to restore order.
