Lords of Gold: the gangs’ grip on Peru’s mines • FRANCE 24 English

Illegal Gold Mining & The Guardian Derocha Gang in Peru: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Guardian Derocha: A criminal gang controlling illegal gold mining in Peru’s Madre de Dios region.
• Forbidden Stories: An international network of investigative journalists focused on continuing the work of silenced reporters.
• Impunity: The exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
• La Pampa: The specific region within Madre de Dios where the gang’s operations are concentrated.
• Complicity: Involvement in wrongdoing, particularly as an accomplice.
• Anonymization: Protecting the identity of sources to ensure their safety.

I. The Devastation in Madre de Dios & The Rise of Guardian Derocha

For over a decade, illegal gold mining has been wreaking havoc on the Amazon rainforest in Peru’s Madre de Dios region. The investigative report, revealed by Forbidden Stories, focuses on the criminal gang, Guardian Derocha, which has established control over these mines. This control isn’t simply operational; it’s characterized by widespread terror, threats against journalists, and the silencing of local communities. The gang’s activities involve seizing land from farmers and residents, devastating forest areas, and accumulating significant wealth.

Initially, Guardian Derocha began by providing security for existing illegal mines approximately a decade ago. They quickly realized the greater profitability of controlling the entire extraction and sale process. This transition involved escalating violence and a systematic effort to buy the silence of both local populations and authorities.

II. Investigative Challenges & Source Protection

Journalist Emmanuel Colombia, author of the report, detailed the difficulties faced during the investigation. Working with Forbidden Stories, an organization dedicated to continuing the work of threatened journalists, Colombia followed up on the investigations of a local journalist previously attempting to expose the gang.

The investigation involved on-the-ground work with a local partner in La Pampa, a region bordering Bolivia. A major challenge was securing reliable testimony. Sources consistently requested anonymity due to legitimate fears of retaliation, highlighting the pervasive climate of fear instilled by the gang. Colombia emphasized the “astonishing” level of impunity enjoyed by the gang, which allows the system to strengthen and perpetuate the illegal activities.

III. The Economic Power & Corruption Network

The report reveals a startling economic reality: illegal gold mining in Peru is now six times more profitable than illegal drug trafficking. With rising gold prices, the financial incentives for this criminal activity are substantial.

The gang’s wealth is directly linked to a network of corruption extending into the Peruvian government. While Colombia couldn’t definitively state direct employment of government officials by the gang, sources indicated that “everyone gets his share” – including lawyers, prosecutors, and high-level agents within the justice and police systems. This complicity facilitates the gang’s operations and ensures silence. A “code of silence” is enforced within the region, further protecting the gang’s activities.

IV. International Connections & Gold Laundering

The investigation is unfolding in stages. The initial report focuses on the gang’s local control of mining and extraction. However, Colombia revealed that information has been gathered regarding the subsequent movement of the gold.

The gold is connected to neighboring countries like Bolivia and Brazil, and is integrated with legally mined gold within Peru before being exported to various international destinations. Colombia suggests that this illegally sourced gold likely ends up in jewelry and other consumer products, but a second phase of the investigation is dedicated to tracing these international connections.

V. Limited Resistance & Local Perspectives

Despite some police and army operations resulting in arrests, the gang’s leader remains at large, openly operating and even committing violence in La Pampa. Authorities are either corrupt or lack the political will, human resources, and financial means to effectively combat the gang. This issue isn’t isolated to La Pampa; similar illegal mining operations controlled by other gangs exist in other regions of Peru and neighboring countries.

Locals are understandably fearful and reluctant to speak out. Between 2014 and the present, an estimated 400 people have disappeared or been killed in the La Pampa region. The primary issue identified by locals is the complicity of the authorities, which perpetuates a “vicious circle” of corruption and impunity. They desire effective action from the police and authorities, but this is currently lacking.

VI. Notable Quote

“The illegal gold is today in Peru six times more profitable than the illegal drug trafficking.” – Emmanuel Colombia, highlighting the economic significance of the issue.

VII. Data & Statistics

• 400+: Estimated number of people disappeared or killed in the La Pampa region since 2014.
• 6x: Illegal gold mining is six times more profitable than illegal drug trafficking in Peru.

Conclusion:

The Forbidden Stories report, as detailed by Emmanuel Colombia, paints a grim picture of the situation in Madre de Dios, Peru. The Guardian Derocha gang has established a powerful and deeply entrenched criminal enterprise fueled by the lucrative illegal gold trade. The pervasive corruption within the Peruvian government, coupled with the fear instilled in local communities, creates a formidable barrier to effective law enforcement. The investigation highlights the urgent need for systemic change, including addressing corruption, strengthening law enforcement capabilities, and protecting journalists and local communities who attempt to expose these criminal activities. The issue extends beyond Peru’s borders, with the potential for illegally mined gold to enter international markets, demanding a broader, international response.