13 gold miners found dead in Peru amid ongoing violence over illegal mining

The bodies of 13 gold miners were discovered on Sunday in an underground shaft at a site operated by Peru’s largest gold-mining company, La Poderosa, in Pataz Province, The New York Times reported. The victims, who had been working for an informal mining operation, were reportedly kidnapped and killed by armed criminals, according to La Poderosa.

Authorities have arrested two suspects linked to the killings. The discovery follows ongoing violence in the region, fueled by disputes over gold mining access, especially amid the rising price of gold.

Peru’s illegal mining sector has been plagued by violent clashes, with several similar incidents in recent months. In December 2023, nine people were killed in a mining ambush, and in October, 16 bodies were found in a mass grave. In response to the recent massacre, President Dina Boluarte suspended mining in Pataz and imposed a curfew to restore order.