The government has responded to a wave of violence linked to criminal gangs in Pataz, instituting a month-long mining activity halt and deploying military forces to restore order following the discovery of 13 murdered workers.**
Night Curfew Imposed in Pataz After Tragic Kidnapping of Mine Workers**
Night Curfew Imposed in Pataz After Tragic Kidnapping of Mine Workers**
Authorities in Peru enforce a curfew and suspend mining activities in Pataz after the gruesome killing of 13 kidnapped workers.**
In a bid to address escalating violence, the Peruvian government has implemented a nighttime curfew in Pataz province after the tragic murder of 13 mine workers. This decision follows their kidnapping by alleged criminal gangs, raising serious concerns about safety in the region. President Dina Boluarte announced a one-month suspension of mining activities and the deployment of additional police and military personnel to restore security.
The fatalities highlight the troubling influence of criminal organizations in Pataz, a significant mining area situated over 800 kilometers north of Lima. La Poderosa, the mining company that employed the victims, reported that the 13 workers were taken on April 26 by illegal miners working in collusion with local criminals. Their bodies were discovered on Sunday, leading to widespread outrage across the country.
President Boluarte condemned the violence, stating that the armed forces would assume "full control of La Poderosa mining area." La Poderosa has noted that 39 individuals associated with the company have been killed by gangs in Pataz, despite a state of emergency declared earlier in February 2024. The company criticized the lack of effective action against the rising violence, even with a significant police presence.
The murdered individuals were subcontracted employees tasked with reclaiming the mine from an invading group when they were ambushed. Disturbing videos released by their captors—showing the workers bound and vulnerable—caused public outrage, especially as their families were coerced for ransom. Forensic evidence suggests that the victims were executed by gunfire more than a week before their bodies were found, intensifying the horror of the situation.
Luis Guillermo Bringas, a regional prosecutor, described the dire state of the area as a "war for mining pits," underscoring the conflict between illegal miners and established operations.
