First National Congress of Izquierda Unida
First and only IU National Congress approves political thesis but maintains ambiguities
In January 1989 the only IU National Congress was held in Lima. It was the moment of encounter of all the tendencies gathered in 1980. A political thesis was approved which maintained that although in general strategic terms the IU did not renounce on principle any means or form of organization, in the present period its strategy of organization and political mobilization of the masses, polar opposite to that of the Shining Path, did not contemplate the adoption of armed struggle. However, ambiguities continued with respect to other issues such as self-defense. Throughout 1989, the tensions, conflicts and ruptures of the left were publicly aired.