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Colombian police have arrested Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, alias “Cuchillo,” in connection with the murder of 13 kidnapped workers at a gold mine in Peru’s Pataz district. According to Peru’s interior ministry and Colombian police, Díaz was arrested in Medellín in a joint operation with Interpol.
Díaz is accused of “organised crime, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated homicide” related to the alleged storming of the mine’s entrance to steal gold extracted by miners. Colombian police chief Carlos Triana said Díaz was located with the support of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and was subject to an Interpol red notice. A video showed Díaz being detained by armed police in Medellín.
Peru’s interior ministry expects Díaz to be extradited to Peru in the coming days. La Poderosa, the mine’s owner, reported that 39 people linked to the company have been killed by criminal gangs in Pataz. The recent attack prompted President Dina Boluarte to impose a night-time curfew and suspend mining activities for a month. Díaz’s lawyer has denied his involvement in the killings.
Background
The 13 men killed in Pataz were ambushed and seized while trying to regain control of the mine from a group that had attacked and occupied it. Peru has seen a surge in violence from illegal miners and organised criminal gangs, with a local prosecutor describing the area as a “war zone” between illegal and legal gold miners.
The arrest of Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, alias “Cuchillo,” has brought a glimmer of hope to the victims’ families and the people of Pataz. Peru’s interior ministry expects Díaz to be extradited to Peru soon, where he will face charges of organised crime, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated homicide. The Peruvian government has taken steps to restore order in the region, including deploying extra police and soldiers, after the brutal killing of 13 miners. La Poderosa, the mine’s owner, has reported a staggering 39 deaths linked to their company in Pataz due to gang violence.