Peru Enacts Curfew in Response to Tragic Kidnapping and Murders of Mine Workers

In a decisive move, President Dina Boluarte has declared a curfew in Pataz province where 13 mine workers were killed after being kidnapped by criminal gangs. The government also temporarily suspends mining activities and deploys additional police and military forces to combat rising violence in this region.

The Peruvian government has implemented a night-time curfew in Pataz province in response to the recent tragic kidnapping and murder of 13 mine workers. This violent incident, which has drawn national and international attention, occurred when the workers were allegedly abducted by criminal gangs linked to illegal mining operations.

President Dina Boluarte announced the measures, which include suspending all mining activities for a month to restore order in the region. The government plans to bolster security by deploying more police and military personnel, particularly around the La Poderosa mining area, where the victims were employed.

The mining company, La Poderosa, has revealed that the men were kidnapped on April 26 while attempting to regain control of their mine, which had been attacked and occupied by illegal miners. Their lifeless bodies were discovered on Sunday, leading to public outrage fueled by disturbing footage shared by the kidnappers, who attempted to extort ransom from the victims' families.

Despite a state of emergency declared in Pataz since February 2024, La Poderosa highlighted the ongoing security crisis, noting that around 39 individuals associated with the company have been killed by rampant criminal activity in the area. Local prosecutor Luis Guillermo Bringas described the situation as a "war for mining pits," where illegal and legal miners often clash, exacerbating violence and lawlessness.