Key Suspect Arrested in Peru’s Gold Mine Massacre Amid Crackdown on Illegal Mining
In a significant development addressing the escalating violence in Peru’s mining sector, authorities have arrested Miguel Rodriguez, also known as “Cuchillo” or “Knife,” in Colombia. Rodriguez is suspected of orchestrating the brutal massacre of 13 security workers at the La Poderosa gold mine in the Pataz province of northern Peru .
The arrest was the result of a coordinated intelligence operation involving the Peruvian and Colombian National Police, along with Interpol. Rodriguez had previously denied involvement in the killings during a media interview but was apprehended after allegedly spending time in Venezuela before returning to Colombia .
The Massacre at La Poderosa
On April 26, 2025, 13 security guards employed by a subcontractor for La Poderosa were kidnapped by armed assailants linked to illegal mining operations. After more than a week in captivity, their bodies were discovered inside a mine tunnel on May 4. Reports indicate that the victims were tortured and executed at close range, with video footage of the killings circulating on social media .
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence in the region. Since the 1980s, La Poderosa has reported 39 worker deaths due to attacks by criminal gangs associated with illegal mining. A previous attack in December 2023 involved explosives and resulted in nine deaths and several injuries .
Government Response and Measures
In response to the massacre, President Dina Boluarte announced a 30-day suspension of gold mining activities in the Pataz district and imposed a nightly curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The government also plans to establish a military base in the region to combat the increasing violence associated with illegal mining operations .
President Boluarte emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “The armed forces will take control of the area where La Poderosa operates.” She highlighted that illegal mining has become the most lucrative criminal activity in the country, surpassing drug trafficking in profitability .
The Broader Context of Illegal Mining
Peru is one of the world’s top gold producers, and the surge in global gold prices has fueled a boom in illegal mining activities. The illicit gold trade is now estimated to generate between $3 billion and $4 billion annually, significantly contributing to regional violence and undermining the rule of law .
The Pataz province, despite its mineral wealth, remains impoverished and underdeveloped. Local officials, including Pataz Mayor Aldo Mariño, have criticized the government’s inadequate response to the crisis. Mariño stated, “Pataz has become a lawless territory where violence runs rampant, taking lives, sowing terror, and subjugating wills” .