Illegal mining in Pataz is driven by criminal groups battling for control of gold resources, often linked to environmental destruction and unregulated operations. La Poderosa attributes increasing violence to organized crime's infiltration of informal mining activities, citing 39 worker deaths since 1980[1][5].

Peru declared a state of emergency in affected areas and deployed over 300 police officers to Pataz. However, La Poderosa and security experts criticize these measures as ineffective, citing continued attacks and inadequate judicial follow-up despite arrests[1][4][5].

In addition to the 13 recently killed guards, La Poderosa reported 18 deaths in the last three years (including a September 2024 attack) and 39 worker deaths since 1980. December 2023 saw an explosives attack killing 9 people at the same mine[1][2][5].

Criminal gangs control illegal mining operations, using violence to dominate territory and resources. These groups engage in extortion, kidnappings, and armed attacks, with La Poderosa describing a 'climate of impunity' due to slow legal processes despite hundreds of arrests[1][4][5].

President Boluarte has blamed Venezuelan migrants for rising crime without providing evidence, while Human Rights Watch notes this rhetoric lacks factual basis and distracts from systemic governance failures contributing to insecurity[4].