Espinar is one of thirteen provinces in the Cusco Region in the southern highlands of Peru.

The leaders' demands included higher environmental standards, more money for area development, and independent oversight of the mine.

In response, President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency in the province, suspending constitutional rights,[4] and deployed police commandos against the strikers.

[3] Two civilians were killed in the resulting clashes, and seventy police officers were injured.

[4] On 30 May, provincial mayor Oscar Mollohuanca was arrested by the national government and accused of inciting protests against an expansion of a copper mine owned by Xstrata.