Shining Path: Five Years After Belaúnde

The anti-subversive strategy put into practice by the government of Fernando Belaúnde failed spectacularly. Who better than Sendero to attest to that. When the armed forces were given the task of combating Sendero Luminoso in Ayacucho, the government of architect Fernando Belaúnde Terry had chosen to confront the subversion militarily. Moreover, the decision was not accompanied by any political or economic measures aimed at solving the pressing problems afflicting the area declared under a state of emergency since 1982. The military arrived in Ayacucho and began to develop a strategy with three elements: first, they had to "clear" the area; second, pit Sendero against the civilian population; and third, consolidate the territorial control achieved. And that is what they did. (Article introduction).