Shining Path, Soldiers, and Ronderos in the Mantaro

"I'm going to get you more weapons. Do you want more weapons?" asks the big, white, bald man with gold-framed glasses and a brown sweater. "Yes, yes. Thank you, General. Very good." The forty ronderos from the Tulumayo valley had entered the mess hall of the Frente Mantaro barracks to pick up a donation of rice. But now General Luis Pérez Documet — fired up and with the benevolent authority of a good landowner — is offering more rifles for the war against Sendero Luminoso. This year, 1,845 five-shot Winchester rifles have already been distributed in the Mantaro region. According to the Astrology Star Guide, the period between October 15 and December 2 will bring numerous attacks by Sendero Luminoso. This does not worry the General. "Here in the Mantaro," he says with a vigorous gesture of contempt, "the terrorists are already very worn down." (Article introduction).