A High-Risk Mission in Peru’s Mining Corridor
On October 27, the Unified Command of Pataz (CUPAZ)—a joint force composed of the Armed Forces and the National Police—carried out Operation “Dante”, rescuing fifteen individuals held captive inside the Gladis Quispe mine in Pueblo Nuevo, district of Pataz, La Libertad. The mission was launched following reports of violent land seizures linked to illegal mining. Upon arrival, patrols encountered gunfire, explosions, and burned vehicles, confirming the presence of organized criminal groups operating in the area.
Restoring Control and Preventing Tragedy
After securing the perimeter and coordinating tactical reinforcements from the DIROPESP-GRECCO and the Joint Special Force (FEC), security units executed a synchronized assault that freed all fifteen hostages without casualties. Evidence found at the site—spent ammunition, explosives, and sealed tunnels— illustrated the level of militarization reached by illegal mining gangs in Peru’s northern Andes. The victims were transferred to the Pataz Police Division for medical evaluation and debriefing.
A Broader Struggle for Legitimacy and Order
Operation “Dante” underscores the escalating security dimension of Peru’s illegal-mining crisis, where the state’s license to govern is increasingly contested by criminal networks that exploit mineral-rich territories. The intervention forms part of CUPAZ’s integrated strategy to reassert state authority, dismantle violent groups, and protect local populations caught between informality and organized crime. Beyond its tactical success, the mission reveals the urgent need for sustainable governance, economic alternatives, and coordinated policy to transform Pataz from a zone of conflict into one of recovery and lawful development.