The Peruvian government has declared a night-time curfew and suspended mining activities in the violence-stricken province of Pataz, following the brutal killing of 13 mine workers by suspected criminal gangs.
President Dina Boluarte made the announcement Monday, confirming the deployment of additional police and military forces to restore order in the mineral-rich region, more than 800 kilometers north of Lima.
The workers, employed by subcontractor R&R at a site owned by gold mining company La Poderosa, were kidnapped on April 26 while attempting to regain control of a mine overrun by illegal miners.
Their bodies were discovered on Sunday, reportedly shot at close range and dumped in a mine shaft.
“The armed forces will now take full control of the La Poderosa mining area,”; Boluarte said, stating the government’s commitment to halting the escalating violence.
La Poderosa, in a statement, blamed “illegal miners colluding with criminal groups”; for the killings, and revealed that 39 people linked to the company have been killed in the Pataz area to date.
The company also criticized the ineffectiveness of the state of emergency, which has been in place in Pataz since February 2024.
“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,”; the company said.
Graphic videos shared by the captors of the 13 men, showing them tied, naked, and held underground, sparked national outrage.
Prosecutor Luis Guillermo Bringas described the situation as “a war for mining pits,”; with criminal gangs and illegal miners battling legal operations.
The government says the curfew and mining suspension will last for at least 30 days as authorities attempt to dismantle the criminal networks behind the violence.
