• Peru's government suspended gold mining in Pataz for 30 days after 13 security guards were found dead at a La Poderosa mine.
• Illegal mining activities are rampant despite the region being under a state of emergency for two years and are linked to criminal gangs responsible for violence.
• The government plans to establish a military base, impose a curfew, and seek legislation to combat illegal mining, which is considered a major source of income for criminal organizations.

The Peruvian government has responded to the massacre of 13 security guards at a gold mine in the Pataz region by suspending mining operations in the area. The victims, employees of a subcontractor for La Poderosa, were found dead in a mine tunnel after being held captive for over a week. This incident underscores the escalating violence and security challenges posed by illegal mining in Peru, prompting government action to restore order and combat criminal activities in the region. The government intends to impose an overnight curfew, establish a military base, and introduce legislation to combat what it terms 'urban terrorism'.

• What: The discovery of 13 murdered security guards at a gold mine in Pataz, Peru, led to the government suspending mining operations in the area and implementing new security measures.
• Who: The victims were security guards working for a subcontractor of La Poderosa mining company. The perpetrators are believed to be informal miners linked to criminal gangs. Dina Boluarte is the President of Peru.
• When: The bodies were found on Sunday, a week after the guards were kidnapped on April 26. The mining suspension was announced on Monday. The original mine opening was in 1980.
• Where: The incident occurred in Pataz Province, located approximately 560 miles (900 kilometers) from Lima, Peru. The mine is operated by La Poderosa.

The massacre highlights the severe challenges Peru faces in regulating its gold mining sector, particularly in remote regions like Pataz. The government's response, including the mining suspension and increased security presence, indicates the seriousness of the situation and the determination to combat illegal mining. The involvement of criminal gangs and the use of 'terrorist' methods, as described by President Boluarte, underscore the complexity of the problem. The state of emergency in the region for over two years has not been effective in halting the violence. The rise in gold prices exacerbates the issue, incentivizing illegal mining and leading to deadly conflicts over resources. The reference to an unverified video circulating online suggests the potential for misinformation and the need for careful verification of details.

"We all know that illegal activity in our mining sector generates millions and millions, much more than drug trafficking."

"The spiral of uncontrolled violence in Pataz is occurring despite the declaration of a state of emergency and the presence of a large police contingent which, unfortunately, has not been able to halt the deterioration of security conditions in the area,"

The murder of 13 security guards in Pataz has prompted decisive action from the Peruvian government, including the suspension of mining activities and the deployment of additional security forces. The incident underscores the urgent need for effective regulation and enforcement in the country's gold mining sector to combat illegal activities and protect workers. While the government's measures are a step in the right direction, the long-term effectiveness of these policies remains to be seen, given the entrenched nature of illegal mining and the ongoing violence in the region.