Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/terror/sendero

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Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path, SL)

Description
Larger of Peru's two insurgencies, SL is among world's most ruthless
guerrilla organizations.  Formed in late 1960s by then university professor
Abimael Guzman.  Stated goal is to destroy existing Peruvian institutions
and replace them with peasant revolutionary regime.  Also wants to rid Peru
of foreign influences.  Guzman's capture in September 1992 was major blow,
as were arrests of other SL leaders, defections, and President Fujimorils
amnesty program for repentant terrorists.

Activities
SL engages in particularly brutal forms of terrorism, including the
indiscriminate use of car bombs.  Almost every institution in Peru has been
a target of SL violence.  Has bombed diplomatic missions of several
countries represented in Peru.  Carries out bombing campaigns and selective
assassinations.  Involved in cocaine trade.

Strength
Approximately 1,500 to 2,500 armed militants; larger number of supporters,
mostly in rural areas.

Location/Area of Operation
Originally rural based, but has increasingly focused its terrorist attacks
in the capital.

External Aid
None.


July 28, 1995:
President Fujimori vows to wipe out Sendero Luminoso.

April 9, 1995:
Sendero Luminoso vows to kill all who vote in the election in TINGO MARIA, Peru.

March 17 1995:
Margie Clavo Peralta, leader of Sendero Luminoso captured with 19 others.

March 4 1995:
Town of Ramal de Aspuzana was seized by Sendero Luminoso.

27 July 1993
Peru
After first spraying the building with automatic weapons, terrorists exploded
a van bomb outside the U.S. Embassy in Lima.  One embassy guard was injured.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the embassy's facade and perimeter
fence.  Subsequent small fires caused only minor damage.  The nearby Spanish
Embassy, together with stores and a U.S.-owned hotel, were also damaged.  Two
hotel employees and a hotel guest were injured.  The explosion coincided with
an "armed strike" called by Sendero Luminoso.

7 July 1993
Peru
Police discovered the bodies of two European tourists in a remote area of
Ayacucho.  The two had been traveling together in a region contested by
Sendero Luminoso terrorists.

19 May 1993
Peru
Terrorists detonated a car bomb in front of the Chilean Embassy in Lima at the
end of a strike called by the Sendero Luminoso terrorist group.  The explosion
damaged the embassy and nearby houses but did not result in any casualties.

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SELECTED INCIDENT CHRONOLOGY

AUGUST, 1981:
BOMBED THE U.S. EMBASSY, THE BANK OF AMERICA, A COCA COLA BOTTLER,
AND A DAIRY PRODUCT FIRM ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARNATION COMPANY, ALL
IN LIMA.

JULY, 1982:
THREW TWO DYNAMITE BOMBS AT THE U.S. EMBASSY AND SET OFF BOMBS AT
THREE PRIVATE BUSINESSES, INJURING THREE PEOPLE.

MAY, 1983:
BLEW UP TEN ELECTRICAL POWERLINE TOWERS IN A COORDINATED ATTACK
THAT BLACKED OUT LIMA AND SET OFF OVER THIRTY BOMBS DURING THE
CONFUSION, CAUSING OVER $27 MILLION IN DAMAGE.

OCTOBER, 1983:
BOMBED THE CAR OF A LIMA POLICE OFFICER.

MAY, 1984:
MACHINEGUNNED TWO POLICEMEN ON DUTY OUTSIDE THE EMBASSY OF WEST
GERMANY IN LIMA, KILLING ONE AND WOUNDING THE OTHER.

AUGUST, 1984:
BURNED AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH RUN BY U.S. MISSIONARIES IN
SOUTHEASTERN AYACUCHO DEPARTMENT.

NOVEMBER, 1984:
BOMBED THE U.S.- PERUVIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN LIMA.

APRIL, 1985:
SHOT AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED A FORMER JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
WHO WAS SERVING AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS TRIBUNAL.

JUNE, 1985:
ALLEGEDLY PLACED A CAR BOMB NEAR THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN LIMA.

AUGUST, 1985:
BOMBED A BUS AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN LIMA.

DECEMBER, 1985:
SET OFF A BOMB IN THE LIMA AIRPORT PARKING LOT, KILLING A CHILD AND
FOUR OTHER PEOPLE.

FEBRUARY, 1986:
SHOT AND KILLED A VILLAGE MAYOR, STOLE FOOD STORED IN A CHURCH AND
THREATENED TO KILL THE PRIEST.

MARCH, 1986:
MURDERED THREE PROVINCIAL MAYORS BY SHOOTING THEM IN THE HEAD IN
THE TOWN OF CHACRA PAMPAS.

JUNE, 1986:
OVER 200 ALLEGED SENDERO LUMINOSO MEMBERS WERE KILLED IN A PRISON
RIOT AND THE SUBSEQUENT EFFORT OF GOVERNMENT FORCES TO RE-GAIN
CONTROL.

JUNE, 1986:
BOMBED A CUZCO-MACHU PICCHU TOURIST TRAIN, KILLING EIGHT (INCLUDING
ONE AMERICAN) AND WOUNDING FORTY (INCLUDING NINE AMERICANS).

JULY, 1986:
BOMBED THE SOVIET EMBASSY IN LIMA.

OCTOBER, 1986:
SHOT AND KILLED FORMER NAVY MINISTER ADMIRAL CAFFERATTA.

JANUARY, 1987:
SHOT AND KILLED SENIOR MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN POPULAR REVOLUTIONARY
ALLIANCE (APRA) - CARLOS SILVA.

JANUARY, 1987:
ATTACKED THE EMBASSY OF INDIA IN LIMA.

FEBRUARY, 1987:
BOMBED SEVEN BANKS AND BURNED A TEXTILE FACTORY IN LIMA.

FEBRUARY, 1987:
FAILED IN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF PERU;
DETONATED TWO CAR BOMBS NEAR A POLITICAL RALLY WHERE PRESIDENT
GARCIA WAS SPEAKING.

MARCH, 1987:
CONDUCTED AN UNSUCCESSFUL ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST THE BANK OF
TOKYO GENERAL MANAGER.

APRIL, 1987:
CARRIED OUT A BLOODY DAYLIGHT ATTACK AGAINST A RESTAURANT NEAR THE
PERUVIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDISCRIMINATELY KILLING BOTH MILITARY
AND CIVILIANS.

APRIL, 1987:
KILLED TWO POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING THE HUANCHAC TRAIN STATION IN
CUZCO.

APRIL, 1987:
ATTACKED A BUS CARRYING MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PASSENGERS IN
HUANACAVELICA, KILLING THIRTEEN PERSONS.

APRIL, 1987:
ATTACKED THE NORTH KOREAN COMMERCIAL MISSION IN LIMA, INJURING AT
LEAST THREE PEOPLE.

MAY, 1987:
CONDUCTED A SERIES OF BOMBINGS, BLACKING OUT MOST OF LIMA.
TARGETS INCLUDED THE MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE, LABOR, AND
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION.

JUNE, 1987:
ATTACKED AN EXCLUSIVE RESTAURANT IN THE MONTERRICO DISTRICT IN
LIMA.  AT LEAST ONE RESTAURANT GUARD AND TWO ATTACKERS WERE
WOUNDED.

JULY-NOVEMBER, 1987:
STAGED NUMEROUS CLASHES WITH SECURITY FORCES SUPPORTING NARCOTICS
ERADICATION CAMPAIGN IN THE UPPER HUALLAGA VALLEY.

AUGUST, 1987:
KILLED AN APRA PARTY LEADER.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1987:
DETONATED A CAR BOMB NEAR THE CONGRESS BUIDLING, CAUSING A PARTIAL
BLACKOUT IN LIMA.  KILLED OVER FORTY CIVILIANS IN ATTACKS AGAINST
TWO TOWNS IN TOCACHE AREA.

NOVEMBER, 1987:
SUSPECTED IN COORDINATED LIMA BLACKOUT AND ATTACK AGAINST NISSAN
FACTORY, DYNAMITE BOMBINGS OF THE MINISTRIES OF HEALTH AND
JUSTICE, AND ATTACK AGAINST U.S. EMBASSY.

JUNE, 1988:
TWO U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (AID) SUBCONTRACTORS
WERE KILLED WHILE TRAVELING NEAR AN AREA CONTROLLED BY SENDERO
LUMINOSO.

JANUARY, 1989:
ASSASSINATED A LOCAL CHIEF OF THE PERUVIAN ANTI-TERRORISM
DIRECTORATE.

JANUARY, 1989:
ATTACKED A GROUP OF JUDGES.  TWO JUDGES WERE KILLED AS WERE THREE
OF THE POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING THEM. TWELVE TO FIFTEEN MEMBERS OF
SENDERO LUMINOSO WERE ALSO REPORTED KILLED.
JANUARY, 1989:
MURDERED A DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND FOUR OTHER VILLAGE OFFICIALS.

JANUARY, 1989:
MURDERED 27 CAMEPSINOS WHO WERE MEMBERS OF A PEASANT DEFENSE
PATROL.

JANUARY, 1989:
ASSASSINATED THE MAYOR OF A VILLAGE IN JUNIN DEPARTMENT.

JANUARY, 1989:
ATTACKED A VILLAGE NEAR LAKE TITICACA.  BUILDINGS WERE DYNAMITED
AND BURNED; AND THE MAYOR AND SIX OFFICIALS WERE KILLED.

FEBRUARY, 1989:
ATTACKED A HELICOPTER BASE OPERATED BY THE U.S. DRUG ADMINSTRATION
ADMINISTRATION.

FEBRUARY, 1989:
IN ONE DAY (10 FEBRUARY) SEVERAL SENDERO LUMINOSO OPERATIONS TOOK
PLACE:  A SENIOR MEMBER OF APRA WAS MURDERED; TWO POLICEMEN WERE
KILLED AND TWO OTHERS WERE WOUNDED WHEN THEY TRIED TO LOWER A
BOOBY-TRAPPED FLAG; AND THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF A SMALL TOWN NEAR LIMA
WAS CRITICALLY WOUNDED IN AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

FEBRUARY, 1989:
SENDERO LUMINOSO MASSACRED THIRTY EIGHT CAMPESINOS IN AYACHUCO
DEPARTMENT AS PUNISHMENT FOR ORGANIZING A SELF DEFENSE UNIT.

MARCH, 1989:
ON 3/2/89 THREE SEPARATE SENDERO LUMINOSO OPERATIONS TOOK PLACE: IN
ONE TOWN A FRENCH TOURIST WAS MURDERED; IN ANOTHER TOWN TWO SCHOOL
TEACHERS WERE MURDERED IN FRONT OF THEIR STUDENTS; AND IN THE THIRD
INCIDENT A TEACHER AND HIS THIRTEEN YEAR OLD SON WERE MURDERED.

MARCH, 1989:
FIVE CIVIL SERVANTS IN A SMALL TOWN WERE MURDERED.  ONE OF THE
VICTIMS WAS THE TOWN'S MAYOR.

MARCH, 1989:
TWENTY SIX CAMPESINOS, MEMBERS OF A VILLAGE SELF DEFENSE UNIT,
WERE MURDERED.

APRIL, 1989:
SENDERO LUMINOSO MURDERED AN AUSTRIAN JOURNALIST.

APRIL, 1990:
BOMBED A POLITICAL RALLY BEING ADDRESSED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL
CANNDIDATE OF THE RULING PARTY.

APRIL, 1990:
ATTACKED A U.S. BUILT ANTI-NARCOTICS BASE IN THE UPPER HUALLAGA
VALLEY.

APRIL, 1990:
MASSACRED FIFTY ELDERLY PEOPLE AND CHILDREN IN SONOMORO.

MAY, 1990:
DYNAMITE ATTACK ON THE MOTORCADE OF A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

MAY, 1990:
A SENDERO LUMINOSO ATTACK ON THE OFFICES OF UNITED PRESS
INTERNATIONAL IN LIMA WAS FOILED.

JUNE, 1990:
KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED TWO BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS IN THE UPPER
HUALLAGA VALLEY.

AUGUST, 1990:
MURDERED TWO PERUVIAN MORMOM MISSIONARIES.

OCTOBER, 1990:
PERPETRATED A WAVE OF BOMBINGS AND ARSON.  AMONG THE TARGETS WERE:
THE EMBASSY OF WEST GERMANY; ELECTRICAL POWER PYLONS; FACTORIES;
PUBLIC PARKS.  THE ATTACKS TOOK PLACE IN LIMA AND THE PORT CITY OF
EL CALLAO.

DECEMBER, 1990:
CONDUCTED A WAVE OF BOMBINGS AND ARSON ATTACKS IN LIMA.  AT LEAST
SEVENTEEN BANKS WERE BOMBED AND FIVE BUSES BURNED.

FEBRUARY, 1991:
BOMBED THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN LIMA.

APRIL, 1991:
MURDERED A PERUVIAN AGRONOMIST WORKING ON A RURAL DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT.

APRIL, 1991:
CONDUCTED A SERIES OF BOMBINGS IN LIMA AS A PROTEST OF THE U.S.-
PERUVIAN ANTI-NARCOTICS AGREEMENTS.

APRIL, 1991:
CONDUCTED A WAVE OF BOMBINGS AND ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS IN LIMA.
NEARLY FORTY BOMBINGS, PRIMARILY AGAINST BANKS, WERE CARRIED OUT.

MAY, 1991:
MURDERED AN AUSTRALIAN NUN AND FOUR VILLAGERS.

JUNE, 1991:
MURDERED A SOVIET WOMAN EMPLOYED AT A LIMA TEXTILE MILL.

JUNE, 1991:
ATTACKED A U.S. BUILT ANTI-NARCOTICS BASE IN THE UPPER HUALLAGA
VALLEY.

JULY, 1991:
CARRIED OUT A ROCKET AND MACHINEGUN ATTACK ON THE HOME OF THE
PERUVIAN MINISTER OF ECONOMY IN LIMA.

JULY, 1991:
A BRIEFCASE BOMB DETONATED AT THE PALACE OF JUSTICE IN LIMA.

JULY, 1991:
MURDERED A BUSINESS MAN OF JAPANESE DESCENT.

AUGUST, 1991:
MURDERED TWO POLISH PRIESTS AND A LOCAL MAYOR; ALSO BRIEFLY
ABDUCTED AN ITALIAN NUN.

AUGUST, 1991:
MASSACRED AT LEAST FIFTY PEOPLE (MINE WORKERS AND THEIR WIVES).

AUGUST, 1991:
ASSASSINATED AN ITALIAN PRIEST.

DECEMBER, 1991:
CONDUCTED A WAVE OF BOMBINGS IN LIMA.  AMONG THE TARGETS WERE THE
EMBASSY OF FRANCE, THE RESIDENCE OF THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR, AND AT
LEAST FIVE BANKS.

JANUARY, 1992:
CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHOOTING DOWN A U.S.-OWNED HELICOPTER
ON LOAN TO PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT ANTI-DRUG AUTHORITIES.  FOUR PERSONS
WERE KILLED, INCLUDING THREE AMERICAN CREW MEMBERS.

FEBRUARY, 1992:
BOMBED ELECTRICAL POWER PYLONS TO INDUCE A BLACKOUT IN LIMA AND
FOLLOWED WITH A WAVE OF ATTACKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY KILLING THREE
AND WOUNDING THIRTY FIVE.

FEBRUARY, 1992:
DETONATED A CAR BOMB NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO
PERU.  THREE PERUVIAN POLICE OFFICERS WERE KILLED.  THE BOMBING WAS
PART OF A WAVE OF A DOZEN BOMBINGS OVER A THREE HOUR PERIOD IN
LIMA.

FEBRUARY, 1992:
DESTROYED A POLICE VAN NEAR LIMA, KILLING THREE AND WOUNDING SIX.

FEBRUARY, 1992:
CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER OF A MAYOR AND HIS WIFE IN A
SMALL TOWN.

MARCH, 1992:
ATTACKED A TOWN SITUATED 120 MILES FROM LIMA, KILLING TWO LOCAL
OFFICIALS AND THREE PEASANT LEADERS.

MARCH, 1992:
ATTACKED A PERUVIAN NAVAL VEHICLE NEAR LIMA, KILLING TWO AND
WOUNDING ONE.

APRIL, 1992:
LOADED A BUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 220 POUNDS OF DYNAMITE AND ROLLED
IT DOWN A HILL INTO A POLICE STATION, KILLING THREE AND WOUNDING
TWENTY TWO.

APRIL, 1992:
DETONATED A CAR BOMB AT A POLICE STATION, KILLING FOUR AND
WOUNDING TWENTY.

APRIL, 1992:
DETONATED A CAR BOMB OUTSIDE A PERUVIAN ARMY BARRACKS IN LIMA,
KILLING TWO AND WOUNDING THREE.

MAY, 1992:
FORTY SEVEN SENDERO LUMINOSO PRISONERS AND TWO GUARDS WERE KILLED
IN THE COURSE OF A PRISON UPRISING.

MAY, 1992:
SEIZED TWO TOWNS NORTH OF LIMA AND MURDERED TWENTY MEMBERS OF THE
LOCAL PEASANT MILITIA.

MAY, 1992:
MURDERED A RELATIVE OF AN ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT OF PERU.

JUNE, 1992:
DETONATED A TRUCK BOMB AT A LIMA TELEVISION STATION, KILLING THREE
AND WOUNDING TWENTY.

JUNE, 1992:
AMBUSHED A MILITARY CONVOY KILLING ELEVEN SOLDIERS AND SIX
CIVILIANS.

SEPTEMBER, 1992:
ABIMAEL GUZMAN, THE FOUNDER AND LEADER OF SENDERO LUMINOSO WAS
CAPTURED DURING A RAID BY PERUVIAN ANTI-TERRORIST POLICE.

OCTOBER, 1992:
ON OCTOBER 7, 1992, ABIMAEL GUZMAN WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE
IMPRISONMENT.

OCTOBER, 1992:
CONDUCTED A ROCKET ATTACK AGAINST THE RESIDENCE OF THE AMERICAN
AMBASSADOR TO PERU.  NO INJURIES.

OCTOBER, 1992:
WITHIN DAYS OF ABIMAEL GUZMAN BEING SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT,
A FORCE OF 50 SENDERO GUERRILLAS ENTERED A VILLAGE IN LA MAR
PROVINCE AND MURDERED FORTY FOUR PERSONS - MEMBERS OF THE VILLAGE
SELF DEFENSE FORCE AS WELL AS WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
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THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS DERIVED FROM DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE, AND PUBLIC MEDIA SOURCE DOCUMENTS.