Security Context and Government Measures
On October 5, 2025, the Peruvian government extended the state of emergency in the province of Pataz (La Libertad) for an additional 60 days, citing the need to confront escalating violence and organized crime linked to illegal gold mining. The decision, formalized through Supreme Decree No. 122-2025- PCM, authorizes the Armed Forces to support police operations and imposes a mandatory nightly curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The Ministry of Defense stated that the measure aims to restore public order after a series of violent incidents involving armed criminal groups that control unregulated mining zones and extortion networks in the region.
Social Debate and Human Rights Concerns
Civil society organizations and local leaders have expressed deep concern over the militarization of the response, arguing that such measures risk infringing on civil liberties and community livelihoods without addressing the root causes of illegal mining. Human-rights groups warn that heavy-handed enforcement may lead to arbitrary detentions and restrictions on movement, particularly for informal miners and local residents who depend on subsistence activities. Critics have urged the government to complement security operations with social and economic interventions, including formalization pathways, environmental remediation, and job alternatives for affected populations.
Community Impacts and Governance Implications
For residents of Pataz, the extension of emergency powers represents a double-edged reality: on one hand, the temporary security presence has reduced violent crime, but on the other, it has restricted daily mobility and deepened fear and mistrust. Analysts highlight that while the state of emergency may stabilize short- term conditions, sustainable peace requires rebuilding institutional legitimacy, local governance, and trust between communities and the state. The ongoing debate over militarization versus rights encapsulates a broader national dilemma—how to combat criminal economies while preserving the social license to operate (LTO) for state authority and legitimate mining activities in Peru’s gold-rich highlands.