Peru imposes curfew after kidnap and murder of 13 mine workers

In a tragic turn of events in Peru, the government has imposed a nighttime curfew in Pataz province following the kidnapping and murder of thirteen mine workers. These workers were allegedly taken by members of a criminal gang, which has raised serious concerns about safety in the region. The workers were associated with a small mine linked to the gold mining company Poderosa. President Dina Boluarte has ordered a suspension of all mining activities in the area for a month, while additional police and military forces are deployed to restore order. This incident has highlighted the ongoing issues with criminal gangs operating in Pataz. La Poderosa, the company that owns the mine, reported that the workers were kidnapped by 'illegal miners colluding with criminals' on April 26. Their bodies were discovered on a Sunday, leading to widespread outrage and calls for action. President Boluarte stated that the armed forces would take 'full control of La Poderosa mining area' to ensure the safety of the community. La Poderosa also revealed that a total of thirty-nine individuals connected to the company have been killed by criminal gangs in Pataz, a mining region located over 800 kilometers north of Lima, the capital of Peru. The company expressed concern that the state of emergency declared in February 2024 has not effectively curbed the violence. In a statement, they noted, 'The spiral of uncontrolled violence in Pataz is occurring despite the declaration of a state of emergency and the presence of a large police contingent, which unfortunately has not been able to halt the deterioration of security conditions in the area. ' The thirteen men who lost their lives were employed by a subcontractor named R&R, which was working at La Poderosa's mine. They were sent to confront a group that had attacked and occupied the mine but were ambushed and captured instead. Disturbing videos shared by their captors showed them tied up and naked, lying in a mine shaft. This footage, along with the fact that their captors attempted to extort ransom money from their families, sparked outrage across Peru. The discovery of their bodies, along with forensic evidence indicating they had been shot at close range more than a week prior, has further shocked the nation. Luis Guillermo Bringas, a prosecutor from the region, informed local media that the area is experiencing a 'war for mining pits' between illegal miners and criminals on one side and legal miners on the other. This situation is dire and requires immediate attention from the authorities.