Beginning of the Shining Path's armed struggle
Shining Path starts armed struggle on democratic election day
The Shining Path began its so-called "people's war" on May 18, 1980, the same day as the return to democracy with the presidential elections. The violence took place in a scenario of democratic transition after the military dictatorship, in the midst of a serious economic and social crisis. The Shining Path was present as a marginal grouping of the radical left, announcing its rejection of the electoral path and initiating its armed struggle.