The Peruvian government has announced a nighttime curfew and military deployment in Pataz after 13 miners were murdered, amid rising violence from illegal mining. This action follows widespread condemnation from the Confederation of Private Business Institutions and ongoing concerns about the state’s loss of control over security. Interior Minister Díaz Zulueta addressed conflicting statements about the timeline of the incident, while the mining company Poderosa criticized government inaction. Recent violence indicates a deteriorating situation exacerbated by illegal mining activities.
In response to a brutal massacre of 13 miners, the Peruvian government has enacted a nighttime curfew and deployed military forces in Pataz, a remote region in the Andes. President Dina Boluarte made this announcement on Monday, as public outrage swells over escalating violence associated with illegal mining in the area. The nation’s most influential business organization, the Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep), has publicly denounced the violence, suggesting that it indicates a significant loss of state control over security matters in Pataz and extensive parts of the country.
The incident has struck a nerve in the nation, triggering comparisons to the more violent chapters of Peru’s history. “This spiral of violence is a reflection of systematic disorder,” stated Confiep. They drew parallels between the miners’ killings and the atrocities committed during the internal conflict that ravaged the country from 1980 to 2000, which resulted in the death of around 69,000 people. They went further, recalling the brutal tactics of groups like Sendero Luminoso and the MRTA, who instilled fear decades ago.
Adding to the chaos, Interior Minister Julio Díaz Zulueta’s visit to the La Libertad region has brought conflicting narratives regarding the timeline of the victims’ abduction. He confirmed that authorities had been actively searching for the miners since their disappearance on April 25, only to locate their bodies five days later after entering a sealed mine entrance. This account is at odds with earlier claims by Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén, who suggested there was ambiguity about whether the workers had even been kidnapped—despite missing persons alerts issued by the victims’ families.
Díaz also noted police efforts in dismantling 20 out of 30 illegal mines in the area, although he acknowledged that criminal control persists in many others. He promised future successes in these operations, stating, “We will have good news from Pataz in the coming days.” Expecting to face Congress soon, Díaz aims to address the deteriorating security conditions which have already claimed at least 39 lives in Pataz this year, according to the mining operator, Poderosa.
Compañía Minera Poderosa, which confirmed the 13 fatalities, has criticized the government for its inaction during this escalating crisis. The mining company claimed that organized crime linked to illegal mining is responsible for the massacre and described Pataz as a territory where lawlessness abounds. They are pushing for a review of the government’s security strategy, lamenting that known illicit tunnels remain untouched despite being identified and geolocated.
The company also highlighted the negligence of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, alleging it has turned a blind eye to requests for illegal miners to be excluded from their concessions. Furthermore, they accused Congress of enabling illegal mining operations by delaying the formalization process through repeated extensions of the temporary permit system known as REINFO, which they labeled a “total failure.”
Recent violence in the province has not been limited to the massacre. An ambush left eight individuals wounded, including two police officers, while they were traveling towards a mining camp processing plant. Poderosa’s message was urgent: “Faced with this destructive spiral, the government, private sector, and civil society must join forces to confront and defeat it before it’s too late.” Reflecting the pervasive threat, illegal mining is rampant across regions in Peru, from coastal areas to the Amazon jungle, contributing an estimated annual loss of $7 billion to the national economy and inflicting extensive environmental destruction.
The deteriorating security situation in Peru’s Pataz region, highlighted by the recent massacre of 13 miners, has prompted the government to impose a curfew and deploy military forces. This incident has underscored the urgent need for effective governmental action against illegal mining and organized crime. Criticism from various sectors, including powerful business groups, indicates growing concern over escalating violence. Stakeholders are now calling for a collaborative approach to restore order and safety in affected regions.
Original Source: efe.com
