The Joint Corporate Prosecutor’s Office of Pataz identified the three people who lost their lives during an armed attack that occurred in the Papagayo sector, annex of Vijus, district and province of Pataz, La Libertad region.
According to information from the Public Ministry, the deceased were identified as Pilar Eduardo Acosta Vera (35), Marcelino Ramos Contreras (31) and Teodulio Ramos Llaury (33). Provincial prosecutor Limber Pascual Malqui Acosta ordered the removal of the bodies and the beginning of investigations to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
However, hours later, in statements to national media, the coordinator of the criminal prosecution offices in Pataz, Enrique Valverde Cabrera, pointed out that the relatives of the deceased prevented the corresponding autopsies from being carried out, with which it is possible to determine how the deaths occurred and what type of weapons could have been used.
He explained that when the police station tried to move the bodies, a group of 40 people opposed them, preventing the forensic team from collecting evidence. Based on information gathered in the area, it was learned that the bodies of two of the deceased are already being laid to rest and one of them was buried.
YOU CAN SEE Pataz: confrontation in a mining area left 3 people dead on New Year’s Eve
According to an official statement from the Minera Poderosa company, the incident occurred during the early hours of December 31, 2025, when security personnel went to the Papagayo mine entrance after hearing gunshots in the area. The bodies were found at the scene with bullet wounds. The company maintained that the victims had entered illegally with the alleged intention of stealing mineral, in a sector where groups linked to illegal mining operate.
As part of the first proceedings, two people were arrested and placed at the disposal of the Peruvian National Police (PNP). Likewise, the PNP ruled out the existence of people detained or missing within the mining operation.
However, a resident of the area indicated that the deceased would be farmers from an annex of the district, dedicated to the cultivation of fruit trees such as mango, avocado, lemon and orange in areas near the Marañón River, and stated that he had no knowledge that they were engaged in mining activities.
They ask for territorial control in Pataz
So far in 2025, around 49 people have lost their lives in violent events linked to conflicts in mining areas, revealed the mayor of Pataz Aldo Carlos Mariños.
Koki Noriega, president of the National Assembly of Regional Governments and governor of Ancash, pointed out that the regions affected by illegal mining have requested territorial control by the State and not only the declaration of a state of emergency, considering that this measure has not given effective results.
Investigations continue in order to determine responsibilities and fully clarify the facts.
