Marine Corps Retreat from the Apurimac River Valley
In July 1985, the Marine Infantry withdrew from the Apurimac River Valley and was replaced by the Army, after a period of offensive against the PCP-SL. This change of forces marked a transition that would later allow the intensification of Shining Path actions in the area.
In July 1985, the Marine Corps withdraws from the Apurimac River Valley and is replaced by the Army. This withdrawal occurs after the DECAS (Defensa Civil Contrasubversiva) and the army were on the offensive until mid-1985, while the PCP-SL was in retreat. The change of forces occurred at the height of the boom in the links between coca leaf producers and drug traffickers. After the withdrawal of the Marine Infantry, the Shining Path columns intensified their actions in Apurímac between 1986 and 1987, seeking to enter a new stage of "strategic balance".