Colombian authorities have successfully arrested a significant suspect connected to the tragic slayings of thirteen gold miners in Peru, as both countries strengthen their collaboration against organized crime.
Colombian Police Capture Key Suspect in Massacre of Peruvian Gold Miners
Colombian Police Capture Key Suspect in Massacre of Peruvian Gold Miners
Joint operation leads to arrest of alleged mastermind behind killings of 13 workers in Peru's Pataz district.
In a decisive action, Colombian police apprehended Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, known by the alias “Cuchillo,” in the bustling streets of Medellín. His arrest followed a collaborative operation involving Peruvian officials and Interpol, as announced by Peru's interior ministry. The accused is said to have orchestrated the brutal murders of the miners who were kidnapped while attempting to reclaim control of an illegally occupied gold mine in the Pataz district.
On May 4, the bodies of the victims were discovered in a mining tunnel, with reports indicating that the miners had confronted an armed group to reclaim their workplace, only to be ambushed in the process. According to Peru's interior ministry, Díaz faces serious charges, including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and homicide.
His legal representative has publicly denied any involvement in the incident. The Colombian police, with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, arrested Díaz under an Interpol red notice, indicating his high-profile status as a fugitive. Following the arrest, it's anticipated that he will be extradited to Peru within the next few days.
This incident comes amid rising violence attributed to illegal mining activities and organized criminal enterprises in Peru, a major gold-producing nation in Latin America. In response to the killings, President Dina Boluarte has enforced a nighttime curfew and a temporary suspension of mining operations in the Pataz region, an area already plagued by criminal activities that previously claimed the lives of 39 individuals connected to the La Poderosa mining company.
The situation highlights the ongoing battle against entrenched criminal activities within the mining sector, as authorities strive to restore security and order.
On May 4, the bodies of the victims were discovered in a mining tunnel, with reports indicating that the miners had confronted an armed group to reclaim their workplace, only to be ambushed in the process. According to Peru's interior ministry, Díaz faces serious charges, including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and homicide.
His legal representative has publicly denied any involvement in the incident. The Colombian police, with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, arrested Díaz under an Interpol red notice, indicating his high-profile status as a fugitive. Following the arrest, it's anticipated that he will be extradited to Peru within the next few days.
This incident comes amid rising violence attributed to illegal mining activities and organized criminal enterprises in Peru, a major gold-producing nation in Latin America. In response to the killings, President Dina Boluarte has enforced a nighttime curfew and a temporary suspension of mining operations in the Pataz region, an area already plagued by criminal activities that previously claimed the lives of 39 individuals connected to the La Poderosa mining company.
The situation highlights the ongoing battle against entrenched criminal activities within the mining sector, as authorities strive to restore security and order.
