Thirteen Workers Killed in Peru Gold Mine Violence

Thirteen workers, including both security guards and miners employed by a contractor for the major gold mining company Poderosa, were found dead in a mine shaft in Peru’s Pataz province after being held hostage for a week by criminal gangs linked to illegal mining. During their captivity, the criminals sent threats to the families of the victims. Despite the state of emergency and heightened police presence, authorities have struggled to control ongoing violent turf wars among armed groups seeking to dominate lucrative gold mining operations. The area has seen a pattern of repeated attacks, including bombings and attempted invasions of mine sites, resulting in at least 39 worker deaths in recent years. The Peruvian government has deployed specialized investigators and authorized forceful police action, but families of the victims continue to call for justice amid mounting criticism of the government's inability to restore security. This violence underscores the severe challenges posed by organized crime and illegal mining in one of the world’s leading gold-producing countries.