Capture of Abimael Guzman
The capture of Abimael Guzmán in 1992 marked a decisive turning point in Peru's internal armed conflict. Following his arrest and that of other subversive leaders, the number of victims of the conflict dropped significantly after 1993.
The capture of Abimael Guzmán, the main leader of the PCP-Sendero Luminoso, occurred in 1992 and marked a turning point in the Peruvian internal armed conflict. This event occurred during the period of the so-called 'leap to strategic balance' when PCP-SL members had intensified their attacks against police and military targets throughout the country. After the capture of Guzman and the main leaders of the subversive organizations, the overall number of all victims dropped significantly after 1993. The year 1992 was one of the most violent of the conflict, registering 321 law enforcement fatalities (19.2% of the total), the highest number of the entire period of the conflict. The capture represented the beginning of the Shining Path's decline as a subversive organization.