Found Dead the 13 Gold Miners Who Were Kidnapped in Peru
Authorities find dead 13 workers kidnapped from a gold mine in Peru, allegedly executed by hitmen. Photo: X/ @unchasqui
May 4, 2025 Hour: 2:52 pm
The 13 workers from the Poderosa gold mine who were kidnapped were found dead this Sunday, allegedly executed by hitmen in a mine shaft located in northern Peru, according to local media citing sources from the Executive branch and relatives of the victims.
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The bodies were found with shots to the head and neck after being tied up, and the remains are now being recovered by the National Police, according to images shared by the portal Epicentro TV and the Sunday program Panorama on their accounts on the social network X.
The relatives of the victims, who reported their disappearance a week ago in the province of Pataz, declared in a state of emergency due to the violence of illegal mining, confirmed to the América Televisión channel that the 13 workers who provided security services at the Poderosa mine were found dead.
Last Friday, the Poderosa mining company reported that illegal miners colluded with criminals to kidnap 13 workers who were providing services to an artisanal miner with whom the company has an exploitation contract.
The company expressed deep concern and solidarity with the families of the victims and regretted that the climate of violence continues to escalate in the region, affecting those who carry out their work activities in the area.
It detailed that this “regrettable event” occurred after criminals attacked the artisanal miner’s operation to take control of it.
The gold mine is located in the province of Pataz, in the department of La Libertad, and was declared in a state of emergency by the Government due to the increase in organized crime linked to illegal mining, which has caused several attacks against miners and their infrastructure.
“It is striking that last week the National Police of Peru mobilized more than 800 officers for an operation that, unfortunately, did not contemplate greater interdictions of illegal mine entrances located in the area where the confrontations took place,” it added.
Author: ACJ
Source: EFE