Peru’s government has imposed a curfew and military control in Pataz after the murder of 13 miners, igniting national outrage over violence related to illegal mining. Businesses condemn the worsening security situation, while officials disclose conflicting accounts regarding the timeline. Calls for action are mounting as illegal mining continues to wreak havoc across the country, with serious economic implications.
In a significant response to recent violence in Peru, the government has instituted a nighttime curfew and enlisted military assistance in the remote Andean district of Pataz. This action follows the shocking abduction and murder of 13 security workers at the Poderosa gold mine, a tragedy that has ignited widespread outrage among the Peruvian populace and leaders alike. Announced by President Dina Boluarte, the measures reflect escalating concerns over security linked to illegal mining operations throughout the country.
The killings have provoked strong condemnation from the Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep), Peru’s influential business association. They issued a statement that described the massacre as indicative of a severe breakdown in state security. The group underscored the severity of the situation by comparing the massacre to the brutalities witnessed during Peru’s internal armed conflict that resulted in the loss of approximately 69,000 lives between 1980 and 2000. The statement lamented, “This spiral of violence is a reflection of systematic disorder.”
Interior Minister Julio Díaz Zulueta addressed the unfolding crisis during a visit to the La Libertad region, where he confirmed the recovery of the victims after five days of searching. He stated that they were abducted from a tunnel entrance on April 25, a shocking revelation that contradicts earlier comments from Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén questioning the circumstances of the workers’ disappearance. Despite these contradictions, relatives of the victims had pressed authorities days earlier about their loved ones.
In the same speech, Díaz reported that police had taken measures against 20 out of the 30 illegal mine shafts operating in the area, although several remain active under criminal control. He assured the public, “We will have good news from Pataz in the coming days.” His upcoming appearance before Congress will likely focus on the region’s pressing security issues as lawmakers seek to hold the cabinet accountable for the ramifications of these violent events.
The mining company Compañía Minera Poderosa, which confirmed the fatalities, placed significant blame on organized crime linked to the surge in illegal mining activities. They characterized Pataz as “a lawless territory” and criticized the government’s failure to act on existing information regarding illegal installations, stating that many illegal tunnels remain geolocated but untouched. Moreover, they chastised the Ministry of Energy and Mines for not acting on their pleas to exclude illegal miners, pointing out that Congress’s protection of informal miners through extensions of a temporary permit system has been detrimental.
Over the weekend, violence reared its head again in the province when an ambush left eight injured, including two police officers, during an attack on workers at another mining operation. The incident further underscores the dire circumstances surrounding illegal mining activities. Poderosa urged a coalition among the government, the private sector, and civil society to confront this rising tide of violence synergistically, expressing that challenges must be addressed before it is too late.
The illegal mining struggle stretches across the coast, highlands, and jungle regions of Peru, bringing substantial economic losses estimated by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum and Energy (SNMPE) to be around $7 billion annually. Areas such as Puno in the south and the Amazonian department of Madre de Dios are experiencing intense exploitation, leading to destruction of natural habitats, rampant human trafficking, and drug trafficking in places where local authority presence is almost nonexistent.
In summary, the Peruvian government’s recent curfew and military deployment in Pataz highlight a desperate attempt to regain control amid increasing violence linked to illegal mining. Widespread condemnation from business leaders echoes the tragedy of 13 miners murdered, reinforcing calls for a collaborative approach to tackle the escalating crisis. As illegal mining activities continue to threaten security and the environment, the need for an effective and cohesive response has never been more urgent.
Original Source: efe.com
