Shining Path's retreat in the Apurimac River Valley
By mid-1985, the Shining Path was in full retreat in the Apurimac River Valley, recognizing its defeat by the military forces and the DECAS, which had gained control of the valley.
By mid-1985, the Shining Path was in full retreat in the Apurimac River Valley and the Armed Forces together with the DECAS (Defensa Civil Contrasubversiva) had gained control of the valley. The Shining Path themselves recognized their defeat by the 'mesnadas' in the VRA, admitting that the unconsolidated support bases collapsed to become enemy support bases. This setback occurred in the context of the boom in the price of coca and its illicit derivatives between 1984 and 1986. The main strongholds of the paramilitary gangs included Punqui, Chungui, Monterrico, Pichihuilca, San Agustín, Lechemayo, Palmapampa, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Quimbiri, Sivia, Llochegua, Rosario, Quintabamba and Machente.