In 1979, the Peruvian Constitution was amended to grant the military a constitutional mandate to guarantee national security and defense. This elevated the military's role to a supreme state function, equating it with the executive and legislative powers, but without deliberative capacity. This change, a legacy of the military government, …
On October 12, 1981, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in five provinces of Ayacucho. This marked the first use of such measures following the return to civilian government. The state of emergency allowed the military to assume control over internal order, leading to a suspension of constitutional …
In 1983, families of the detained and disappeared in Ayacucho, Peru, faced severe threats and mistreatment from military and police forces. These families were subjected to verbal and physical abuse while seeking information about their missing relatives. The military's refusal to provide information and their hostile actions, such as firing …
In Puno, the organization of women began during the 1983 drought with support from the Church. Despite being in a region where violence was less intense, there was distrust towards the military. Women like Manuela Copa Condori, who was involved in the Partido Unificado Mariateguista, faced threats and anonymous letters, …
In 1983, the community of Rancha in Ayacucho, Peru, experienced severe violence during the internal conflict. Civilians were caught in a vicious cycle of violence between the military and subversive groups, leading to numerous deaths and human rights abuses. The conflict left deep psychological scars and disrupted the social fabric, …
In February 1983, communities in Huancasancos and Lucanamarca reacted against the increasing violence perpetrated by the Shining Path (PCP-SL). In Sacsamarca, during the carnival, local communers executed two PCP-SL leaders, leading to retaliatory actions by the Shining Path. The military intervened, resulting in the deaths of 14 people, including both …
On the night of April 17, 1983, five detainees were taken by a military patrol to Ccarpaccasa, where they were interrogated and threatened with death. One detainee managed to escape, but the remaining four were executed by the military. Their bodies were buried in a pit, later discovered by their …
During a military incursion in the community of Callqui, a guide identified as Jesús Vilca Huincho assisted the military in identifying alleged subversives among the villagers. Witnesses reported that the patrol communicated with their superiors via radio, and there were orders to kill eight men found in a church, suspected …
In September 1985, reports emerged of clandestine graves linked to massacres carried out by military patrols in Pucayacu and Accomarca, resulting in 7 and 69 deaths, respectively. The Peruvian government launched an investigation, leading to the resignation of military leaders and marking a shift from previous governmental responses. This swift …
On October 22, 1986, a military patrol entered the village of Pomatambo, Ayacucho, and detained several individuals, subjecting them to brutal treatment. The detainees were later taken to Parco, where they were forced to remain naked and were further mistreated. The military claimed the operation resulted in the deaths of …
In Peru, during the late 1980s, reports emerged of widespread torture by the military and police, which went unpunished due to a lack of judicial action. Despite complaints from victims and human rights organizations, no members of the armed forces or police were prosecuted for their actions. The situation was …
Martha Crisóstomo García, a witness to military actions in Cayara, was assassinated on September 8, 1989, in Huamanga, Ayacucho. Her murder was reportedly carried out by military personnel due to her comments about the killing of innocent people and her recognition of her aunt's body. She had previously been threatened …
In 1990, military raids became a common occurrence in the marginalized neighborhoods of Lima, particularly in Raucana. Soldiers, often masked, conducted late-night searches of homes, instilling fear among residents who worried about being wrongfully detained or disappearing. Additionally, the military used intimidation tactics such as firing guns into the air …
In 1990, Juan Santiago, the newly elected secretary-general of the miners' union, survived an assassination attempt by a group of Senderistas, in response to which he organized a 'workers' guard' composed of 60 fellow workers to counteract the threat. In response, he organized a 'workers' guard' composed of 60 fellow …
In 1991, Campanilla became a significant hub for drug trafficking in Peru, with Demetrio Chávez Peñaherrera, known as 'Vaticano', leading operations. Despite attempts by the PCP-SL to control the area, 'Vaticano' established his own militia with the support of the military, challenging the PCP-SL's dominance in the drug trade. The …
On the night of April 27, tensions escalated in Raucana, Peru, when the military detained local leaders, suspecting them of terrorist affiliations. The following day, a confrontation occurred between the military and local residents, resulting in violence and injuries. The military's actions were justified by claims of preventing extremist infiltration, …
In May 1991, President Fujimori and a presidential delegation entered San Marcos University, leading to a confrontation where approximately three hundred students threw stones at them. This incident was used as a pretext to establish a military base on campus. The military intervention included searches and interventions in faculties, which …
On June 19, 1991, Julio, a psychology student and teacher, was detained during a police operation following an attack commemorated by Sendero Luminoso. He was tortured and transferred between various police and military facilities, where he faced threats and racial profiling. Despite a lack of evidence, he was told he …
On July 11, 1991, Viviano Hilario Mancha discovered the semi-buried body of his grandson, Héctor Hilario, along with other unrecognizable bodies at the entrance of the 'Misteriosa' mine. The initial attempt to recover the bodies was thwarted by the military, who detained a group of villagers assisting the authorities. Witnesses …
On July 19, 1991, a military commando conducted a covert operation at the home of university professor Francisco Solier García, resulting in the assassination of Solier, his wife, and his son. The operation employed firearms with silencers, a method characteristic of anti-subversive operations by the military. Testimonies suggest that Solier …
On 31 August 1991, a mass sexual assault was perpetrated by members of the military in the department of Cajamarca, Peru. Multiple women were subjected to brutal sexual violence by military personnel, highlighting a pattern of systematic abuse. The testimonies reveal the extent of the violence and the disregard for …
In November 1991, the Peruvian government promulgated 79 legislative decrees, primarily focused on national security. Among these, Decree 699 and its complement, Decree 700, were particularly controversial as they pertained to the educational system. These decrees allowed the military to play a significant role in educational matters in emergency zones, …
In spite of the evidence of the kidnapping and murder of the students and the professor of La Cantuta, the official majority in Congress approved the minority opinion that sustained the thesis of self-kidnapping. This decision was taken, although it seems incredible, denying the evidence of military participation in the …
The PCP-SL (Shining Path) used fear and intimidation to control Asháninka communities in Peru. They threatened the Asháninka with punishment, torture, and death for non-compliance or dissent. The group spread distrust within communities and families, and manipulated the Asháninka into fearing the military, further isolating them.
The traditional system of community leadership was dismantled by those who usurped their roles, replaced by a subversive organization enforcing a socialist style that the population had to follow out of fear. The introduction of the Law of Repentance by the military led to confusion and distrust among the people, …
In a Senderista-controlled settlement, strict internal security measures were implemented to protect against potential police or military interventions. These included perimeter walls, trenches, watchtowers, and internal patrols organized by community members. A curfew was enforced, and residents had to leave a family member behind when leaving the settlement to ensure …
In Uchiza, during the early 2000s, the narcotrafficking industry was reported to have financed military activities. The military allegedly commandeered vehicles without compensation and were involved in various abuses. Additionally, both the military and the Sendero Luminoso were implicated in violent acts against civilians, with the latter known for leaving …
During a thematic public hearing on September 4, 2002, the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) discussed the misuse of antiterrorism legislation and violations of due process. The hearing highlighted how excessive powers granted to police and military forces led to human rights abuses, including torture and forced confessions, during …
