Massacre in the Mines: 13 Security Guards Found Dead After Kidnapping in Peru’s Lawless Gold Belt

Thirteen security guards kidnapped from Peru’s La Poderosa gold mine have been found dead, the company confirmed Sunday, in a chilling escalation of violence linked to illegal mining gangs.

The guards were taken during an April 26 ambush in the remote northern region of Pataz. La Poderosa blamed criminal groups fighting for control of the mine, calling the situation a “spiral of uncontrolled violence,” despite a declared state of emergency and police presence.

Relatives gathered in Trujillo, demanding justice. “This can’t just end here,” said Abraham Dominguez, whose son was among the victims.

Peru’s Interior Ministry has launched a manhunt, but the attack highlights growing lawlessness in a country where illegal mining is booming and deadly.