On August 22, 2025, Peru’s security forces carried out a high-risk intervention against illegal mining and organized crime in the province of Pataz, La Libertad. The “Operativo AWQA”, led by the Unified Command of Pataz (CUPAZ) with support from the Armed Forces and National Police, lasted an intense 36 hours inside a mine shaft in Carhuabamba – Anexo Pueblo Nuevo. Despite facing long-range weapons, explosives, and heavy resistance, the operation successfully neutralized a criminal group while rescuing a kidnapped citizen, evacuating three injured individuals, and recovering the body of one fatality.
The operation resulted in the capture of two gang members, injuries to five other suspects, and the seizure of war-grade weapons, including an R-15 assault rifle, a Glock pistol, ammunition of various calibers, and explosive material. One police officer was wounded in the foot by a gunshot but was promptly evacuated and is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities stressed that the action was carried out under judicial oversight and in coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The raid was a direct response to the August 21 armed attack on workers from the mining company Sanone in the same sector, which left one dead, three injured, and one person kidnapped. By dismantling the armed cell, CUPAZ reaffirmed its mandate to combat illegal mining and organized crime in Pataz, while protecting local communities from escalating violence linked to illicit gold extraction. Officials underscored that restoring order in Pataz is critical to ensuring security and the rule of law in one of Peru’s most conflict- affected mining corridors.