In a significant breakthrough, Colombian police have apprehended the alleged mastermind behind the murder of 13 workers at a gold mine in Peru, igniting fresh discussions on mining violence in the region.
Colombian Authorities Capture Suspected Killer of 13 Peru Mine Workers
Colombian Authorities Capture Suspected Killer of 13 Peru Mine Workers
Colombia extradites key suspect in the brutal killings that rocked Peru's gold mining region.
In a collaborative effort, Colombian police, in conjunction with Interpol and Peruvian authorities, have arrested Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, also known by his alias "Cuchillo," in Medellin, Colombia. This operation follows the gruesome discovery of the miners' bodies on May 4 from a tunnel in the Pataz district of Peru, where they had been held hostage.
Rodríguez Díaz's lawyer has asserted his client's innocence in the killings. The murder of the miners, who were reportedly ambushed while attempting to reclaim control of their mine from aggressive intruders, underscores the rising tide of violence associated with illegal mining and organized crime in Peru, one of Latin America's major gold-producing nations.
Peru's interior ministry has stated that Díaz is believed to have orchestrated the violent takeover of the mine's entrance to facilitate the theft of gold, leading to charges of organized crime, aggravated homicide, and kidnapping.
CCTV footage released by authorities captured the moment of Díaz's arrest, conducted in a bustling Medellin area. Colombian police chief Carlos Triana confirmed that the arrest was made with assistance from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, highlighting the international dimension of this case, as Díaz was under an Interpol red notice.
Expectations are high in Peru for his swift extradition in the coming days, as local mining company La Poderosa revealed that 39 individuals connected to its operations have fallen victim to criminal gang violence in recent years.
In response to the alarming circumstances surrounding the miners' deaths, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has enacted a night-time curfew in Pataz and temporarily halted all mining activities in the region, deploying additional police and military personnel to restore order and safety.
