**Peruvian authorities hope the extradition of the prime suspect will bring justice following a brutal ambush that shocked the nation.**
**Colombia Apprehends Suspected Mastermind Behind Tragic Murders of Peruvian Miners**
**Colombia Apprehends Suspected Mastermind Behind Tragic Murders of Peruvian Miners**
**The arrest of Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz marks a significant development in the case of 13 miners killed in Peru, reflecting the rising violence linked to illegal mining.**
Colombian law enforcement has apprehended Miguel Antonio Rodríguez Díaz, known by his alias "Cuchillo," in Medellin, Colombia, as part of a collaborative initiative with Peruvian authorities and Interpol. He is alleged to be the primary suspect in the murder of 13 mine workers who were kidnapped earlier this year in Peru's Pataz district. The miners' remains were retrieved from a tunnel on May 4, sparking outrage and calls for justice.
Lawyers representing Mr. Díaz have denied his involvement in the grisly killings that have been linked to the rising violence associated with illegal mining operations. The unfortunate event unfolded when the miners were deployed to reclaim control of a gold mine that had been overrun by criminal elements. Instead of a successful intervention, they were ambushed and taken captive.
Peruvian authorities have accused Mr. Díaz of orchestrating the attack on the mine, driven by an intent to abscond with gold produced by legal miners. According to Peru's interior ministry, he faces serious charges including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and homicide.
Footage of his arrest shows armed police detaining him in a crowded area of Medellin, facilitated by intelligence from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under an Interpol red notice. The Peruvian interior ministry is optimistic about his upcoming extradition, with authorities indicating that the process could unfold in the next few days.
The company La Poderosa, which operates the mine tied to the massacre, reported that a total of 39 individuals associated with its operations had been murdered by violent gangs in the Pataz region. In response to the escalating violence, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has enforced a nighttime curfew in Pataz and suspended mining activities for one month, also deploying additional police and military personnel to stabilize the situation.
