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| category | tags | summary | born | died | location | |
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| Extremism & Violent Networks |
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In 1980, Guzmán proclaimed the armed struggle against the capitalist government in Lima, and the Shining Path grew into a powerful force, leading to the declaration of martial law in the department of Ayacucho by Peruvian President Alan Garcia. | 1934-12-03 | 2021-09-11 | Mollendo, Arequipa, Peru |
Abimael Guzman Reynoso was the founder and leader of the Shining Path (El Sendero Luminoso), a Maoist terrorist group in Peru. He was formerly a professor of philosophy at the University of San Cristobal at Ayacucho, where he was considered a legendary figure by his followers, who saw him as the "fourth sword of Marxism" after Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and Joseph Stalin.1
In 1980, Abimael Guzman Reynoso proclaimed the armed struggle against the capitalist government in Lima, and the Shining Path grew into a powerful force, leading to the declaration of martial law in the department of Ayacucho by Alan Garcia.1
In 1988, Ari Ben-Menashe traveled to Peru on a secret mission for Yitzhak Shamir to secure the purchase of rare minerals for Israel nuclear program. Ari Ben-Menashe met Abimael Guzman Reynoso at a farmhouse in Shining Path-controlled territory. Abimael Guzman Reynoso was initially suspicious of Ari Ben-Menashe, but was impressed by his directness. He revealed his own Jewish heritage and discussed his philosophy, which blended Inca and kibbutz ideology, and his views on equality and family.1
Abimael Guzman Reynoso agreed to sell the minerals to Israel for $10 million, to be deposited in a Switzerland bank account. He also requested that Israel purchase a chain of five small newspapers, the Ocho Group, on the movement's behalf, and provide medical equipment to be brought on the Cessnas transporting the minerals.1
Abimael Guzman Reynoso was, according to rumors recounted by Ari Ben-Menashe, dead of cancer in 1990, but he continued to lead the Shining Path. He was captured in 1992 and was imprisoned.1
Footnotes
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Ben-Menashe, Ari. Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network. Sheridan Square Press, 1992 (TrineDay reprint, 2015). ↩︎