Seizure of the Japanese Ambassador's residence by the MRTA
MRTA seized Japanese ambassador's residence for 127 days with 72 hostages; press self-regulated in coverage
Between December 17, 1996 and April 22, 1997, the MRTA took over the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, holding 72 hostages. The independent press, although critical of the Fujimori government, was visibly self-regulating in its coverage due to the magnitude of the blackmail. Coverage was intense and attracted international press. On March 7, 1997, La República published an investigation on a tunnel dug by rescue commandos, generating controversy.