The Matanza of 13 workers in a Pataz envon shook the Government of Dina Boluartewho had to travel to the conflict zone in La Libertad to announce a confrontation without barracks against illegal mining. Until that moment, if it were not for the brutal mass murder, Boluarte could have continued with a warm policy regarding criminal organizations.
The figures show it. In 2023, when their government and congress have already controlled the public budget, Boluarte allocated S/62 million for the program to fight illegal mining of the Interior Ministry. By 2024, he raised the figure to S/79.7 million, however, he reduced it to S/63.2 million in 2025. It is clear that the fight against illegal mining was not the priority of the head of state until the Pataz crisis broke out. Now, of the initial budget of S/63.2 million, it has been modified at S/83.6 million. An addition of a little more than S/20 million. However, the budget remains a much lower amount to respond to the unstoppable annual growth of criminal violence related to illegal mining, especially that linked to gold extraction.
Government priorities. On the contrary, the government of Boluarte has preferred to grant greater interest and importance to the budget aimed at suffocating social manifestationsgiving him exorbitant sums during his mandate.
The Interior Ministry program called “Decreased incidence of violent conflicts, protests and social mobilizations that alter public order”, received a total of S/687.4 million, in 2024 increased by S/715.6 million and in 2025 jumped to S/1,125 million. Historical figure to turn off the voices contrary to the regime.
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Indeed, between 2023 and 2025 the budget to face the popular mobilizations rose in 63.74 %, while the FON two aimed at the Mining Fight Program was only increased by 1.98 % in the Boluarte government.
Than the Budget to finance illegal mining fight (S/63,274,186) represents 5.62% Regarding the amount aimed at facing social conflicts (S/1,125,084,624), it causes negative effects on police officers responsible for fighting criminal organizations that swarm in the undercuts. Starting with the lack of men and equipment.
A very unequal war now, of the S/63.2 million, the National Police Environment Directorate, assigned to the task of facing illegal mining, corresponds only S/15 million. That is, less than 24% of the total. The rest is distributed among other units that participate in the actions of repression of illegal mining. A recent study by the Peruvian Economics Institute (IPE) projects US $ 6,840 million the amount that annually mobilizes illegal atriferous miningsurpassing drug trafficking and human trafficking. This is due to the explosive increase in the world price of gold. However, the money set by the Boluarte government to face criminal organizations has not experienced a significant increase between 2024 and 2025.
“Illegal mining over drug trafficking. A kilo of cocaine its value is $ 2,500, compared to the gold kilo that is 105 thousand dollars. However, we have little resources to combat the gold mafias,” police sources said knowledge of the facts.
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Absence of political decision
“Only 40 vehicles are available when what is required are 200 units for the tactical displacement of police.
So far this year, the Environment Directorate of the National Police has executed 3,860 operations throughout the national territory.
Of that total, 1,360 actions were against illegal mining. The seizure of machinery, rafts, crushers, fuel, motors and weapons for an approximate value of S/2 billion was reported.
If at least the current budget was doubled, the impact of illegal mining repression could be much more considerable. It could even be expanded to the objective of the strategy, which is currently concentrated in the last link of the chain: the illegal miners who work in the undercuts, when it should also reach the large exporters that buy gold of illicit origin.
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After the murder of security workers in a Pataz mine, Mandat Boluarte declared the state of emergency and assigned S/52.6 million to intensify the shares of control, control and traceability of the transport and marketing of chemical, explosive supplies and other products links two to illegal mining in the province of Pataz. But it is not only about money but about approach.
Of that amount indicated, S/26 million were transferred to the Armed Forces and only S/6 million to the National Policewhen this institution is responsible for combating illegal mining, so it has specialized personnel, unlike military institutes.
“The National Police It has 700 troops to combat crimes against the environment, such as illegal mining, while Colombia has 2,500, Brazil 4,000 and Ecuador 2,000. The difference is notorious, ”said the sources.
“The demand for gold has grown considerably, causing criminal gangs to grow more and more illegal mining. To respond firmly, a political decision is required,” they concluded.
The data
● In the shadow. A report from the Ministry of Energy and Mines indicates that in 2024 the production of gold was 97.8 tons declared. However, 179.3 tons have been carried out. There is a 81 -ton gap.
● Several objectives. The PNP Environment Directorate faces illegal activities in logging of timber trees, fishing and animation of animals. Not exclusively in mining.
