In the Dock. Terrorist or Rebel?

Víctor Polay Campos, one of the leaders of the Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru, recounts his own story. Among the notable facts, the following can be mentioned: in 1972 he is imprisoned for several months in the Lurigancho prison, accused of carrying out actions against the military government. Upon his release, he travels to Spain to study sociology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. In 1973 he travels to France, where he studies sociology and political economy. In mid-1975 he returns to Peru and travels to Argentina, sent by the MIR to participate in the experience of the JCR (Junta de Coordinación Revolucionaria), formed by the ERP of Argentina, the Tupamaros of Uruguay, the MIR of Chile, and the ELN of Bolivia, who were fighting against the strong military dictatorships of the Southern Cone. In 1982 he founds the terrorist group MRTA, and in 1984 MRTA's actions begin.