• A key suspect in the murder of 13 miners in Peru has been arrested in Colombia.
• Miguel Rodriguez, known as "Cuchillo," is facing charges of organized crime and homicide.
• The violence is part of a broader issue related to illegal mining in northern Peru.

Colombian police arrested Miguel Antonio Rodriguez Diaz, alias "Cuchillo" or "Knife," in Medellin, Colombia, as part of a coordinated effort among law enforcement from Peru and Interpol, according to Reuters and BBC. Rodriguez is one of the main suspects in the brutal killings of 13 miners who were kidnapped at a gold mine in the Pataz district earlier this month.

The gruesome incident saw the victims ambushed by armed groups during an attempt to restore control over the mine, where illegal mining has surged, creating a significant financial threat, estimated at $3 billion to $4 billion per year. This escalation in violence prompted the Peruvian government to dispatch additional military forces to the region, and a state of emergency has been declared, reports Al Jazeera.

Rodriguez is facing serious charges, including organized crime, aggravated kidnapping, and homicide. His arrest was facilitated with assistance from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and he is expected to be extradited to Peru, where his criminal activities are deeply intertwined with the rampant violence attributed to illegal gold mining operations, according to Reuters and BBC.

Following the incident, President Dina Boluarte imposed a curfew and suspended mining activities in the region to combat the escalating security situation, bringing further attention to the violence linked to the illegal mining industry in Peru, as noted by Al Jazeera.