Rodríguez Díaz, known as "Cuchillo," faces serious charges amid rising violence linked to illegal mining in the region.
Colombian Authorities Capture Key Suspect in Peru's Mine Murders
Colombian Authorities Capture Key Suspect in Peru's Mine Murders
Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, implicated in the deaths of 13 workers, is arrested in Medellin.
Colombian police have successfully arrested Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, the primary suspect in the brutal killings of 13 kidnapped miners at a gold mine in nearby Peru. The operation, which involved collaboration between Colombian authorities, Peru's interior ministry, and Interpol, led to his apprehension in Medellin, Colombia. Díaz, who has been dubbed "Cuchillo" (meaning knife), is accused of orchestrating the ambush of these miners in Pataz, Peru, in a bid to seize the gold they had extracted.
On May 4, Peruvian authorities discovered the remains of the workers in a tunnel, highlighting the logging tragedy that has unfolded in the region. The violence is attributed to organized criminal gangs that have increasingly targeted mining operations. A lawyer representing Díaz has denied his client’s involvement in the killings, while Peruvian officials outlined the serious allegations he faces, including organized crime and aggravated homicide.
Law enforcement authorities in Colombia indicated that Díaz was arrested with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, as he was under an Interpol red notice. In a statement, the Peruvian interior ministry expressed confidence that Díaz would soon be extradited for trial in Peru.
The mine, operated by La Poderosa, has lost 39 individuals with ties to the company to violent crime in recent years, stressing the danger faced by workers in the area. Following this latest incident, President Dina Boluarte announced a curfew in Pataz and suspended mining operations for a month, deploying additional police and military personnel to enhance security in the volatile region.
On May 4, Peruvian authorities discovered the remains of the workers in a tunnel, highlighting the logging tragedy that has unfolded in the region. The violence is attributed to organized criminal gangs that have increasingly targeted mining operations. A lawyer representing Díaz has denied his client’s involvement in the killings, while Peruvian officials outlined the serious allegations he faces, including organized crime and aggravated homicide.
Law enforcement authorities in Colombia indicated that Díaz was arrested with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, as he was under an Interpol red notice. In a statement, the Peruvian interior ministry expressed confidence that Díaz would soon be extradited for trial in Peru.
The mine, operated by La Poderosa, has lost 39 individuals with ties to the company to violent crime in recent years, stressing the danger faced by workers in the area. Following this latest incident, President Dina Boluarte announced a curfew in Pataz and suspended mining operations for a month, deploying additional police and military personnel to enhance security in the volatile region.
