Las fuerzas armadas y Sendero Luminoso

By Carlos Tapia

Subjects: Politics and government, Sendero Luminoso (Guerrilla group), Guerrillas, Armed Forces, Political violence

Description: "A good overview of the Peruvian military's strategic approaches to the conflict with Sendero Luminoso from the early 1980s until immediately after the capture of the movement's leader in 1992. Cites General Clemente Noel's highly unsuccessful campaign in Ayacucho in the mid-1980s as an example of the army's early and unrealistic attempt to adopt a modification of the failed 'strategic hamlet' approach used by the US in Vietnam. Only after nearly a decade did the armed forces adopt a somewhat standardized 'counter-subversive campaign.' A close examination of government documents allows the author to competently discuss the critical role of the intelligence service in defeating Sendero Luminoso. Lacks thorough consideration of the role of the rural-based Rondas Campesinas"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.