In response to the brutal murder of 13 kidnapped mine workers, President Dina Boluarte has declared a night-time curfew in Pataz, Peru, while mining activities are temporarily suspended. Criminal gang violence remains a significant issue despite existing state emergency measures.
Peru Enforces Night Curfew Amidst Cholera Crisis Following Gruesome Murders of Mine Workers
Peru Enforces Night Curfew Amidst Cholera Crisis Following Gruesome Murders of Mine Workers
Authorities take drastic measures after the discovery of 13 mine workers who were kidnapped and killed by a criminal gang, highlighting the ongoing violence in the mining sector.
Amid escalating violence in Pataz province, Peru's government has implemented a night-time curfew following the horrific discovery of 13 mine workers who were kidnapped and murdered by a criminal gang. This unfortunate incident has brought national attention to the rampant activities of these gangs within the region.
President Dina Boluarte announced the curfew as a part of emergency measures that also include suspending mining activities for one month and deploying additional police and military personnel to restore order. The gold mine, owned by the company La Poderosa, confirmed that illegal miners colluded with criminals to carry out the kidnappings on April 26. The bodies were discovered a week later, prompting nationwide outrage.
La Poderosa revealed in a statement that this tragic event is just one of many, as 39 individuals associated with the company have reportedly met violent ends at the hands of criminal gangs in the Pataz area, situated over 800 kilometers (500 miles) north of Lima. Despite a state of emergency declared in the province since February 2024, violence seems to have continued unabated, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the measures.
The 13 slain workers were subcontracted through another company, R&R, and had been sent to the mine in response to a hostile takeover by illegal miners. They were ambushed and subsequently kidnapped. Disturbing videos released by their captors depicted the workers in a vulnerable state to pressure their families for ransom. Investigations revealed that they had been executed execution-style prior to the discovery of their bodies.
Luis Guillermo Bringas, a local prosecutor, reported mounting tensions in the Pataz region, describing it as a battlefield between illegal miners and organized crime factions versus legitimate mining operations. The deteriorating security situation raises pressing concerns about the safety of workers in Peru's mining industry and calls for a more effective governmental response to tackle organized crime.
