Thirteen security guards who were kidnapped from a gold mine in northern Peru have been found dead after a week-long hostage crisis. The brutal killings have shocked the country and drawn attention to the growing violence connected to illegal mining in the Pataz region, where organized crime has tightened its grip in recent years.
Security Guards Killed in Peru’s Pataz Region
The guards were employed by La Poderosa, a major mining company operating in the gold-rich mountains of Pataz. They were sent to confront illegal miners trespassing on the company’s territory when they were attacked and taken hostage.
Over the course of the week, their captors reportedly sent threatening messages to the families of the victims. On Sunday, search-and-rescue teams finally located the bodies after days of intense efforts. According to La Poderosa, the illegal miners who committed the crime were working with other criminal groups.
Violence Continues Despite State of Emergency
Even though a state of emergency is currently in place in the region, and extra police forces have been deployed, the violence hasn’t stopped. La Poderosa said the murders show how security has worsened in Pataz despite government efforts.
Peru’s interior ministry has launched an investigation, with organized crime units leading the case. Officials said their agents are authorized to use force when necessary to fight back against the rising violence.
In nearby Trujillo, grieving families gathered to receive the bodies of their loved ones. Abraham Dominguez, whose son Alexander was one of the victims, told local news: “We want justice, that this doesn’t just stop here.”
A Long History of Deadly Attacks
This isn’t the first time La Poderosa’s operations have been targeted. Since the 1980s, the company says 39 of its employees have been murdered by criminal groups trying to control gold-rich areas.
In December 2023, another deadly attack at the same site left nine people dead and 20 injured. That time, illegal miners stormed the mine with explosives and firearms, taking hostages and clashing with the company’s internal security.
The bodies recovered from the 2023 attack also showed signs of burns caused by explosives. Several suspects were arrested, and weapons were seized. In response, La Poderosa hired more security guards—but even that wasn’t enough to stop the violence.
Illegal Mining on the Rise in Peru
Illegal mining has exploded in Peru, becoming even more profitable than drug trafficking, according to Angela Grossheim, head of the SNMPE (Peru’s mining industry group). The country is one of the world’s top producers of gold and copper, making its mines a valuable target for criminal groups.
In a strange twist, the government has been slow to crack down on illegal miners. Instead, some have been given protections while officials work on plans to legalize their operations. This soft approach has led to more turf wars, and now entire regions are struggling with lawlessness and fear.