Capture of Abimael Guzman
In September of 1992, the former philosophy professor and the leader of the Shining Path was caught by the Peruvian Police. An archived story published by the New York Times was found, detailing his arrest and how it hurt the rebel group. The article claims that the arrest of the leader was a big achievement for the Peruvian government. Guzman was captured in the Surquillo district of Lima. Twelve days after his capture, he was forced to dress in a striped prison uniform (shown above) and put on display for news media. This display of Guzman in a cage surrounded by the Peruvian military was an attempt to dishearten the Shining Path followers and fighters.
While he was being presented in the cage, he spoke for twenty minutes. Security was very tight, with the government worried that there would be an attempt at his rescue from the Shining Path. Guzman ignored all of the questions by the reporters that were present, only shouting phrases from his belief and ideology.
While he was being presented in the cage, he spoke for twenty minutes. Security was very tight, with the government worried that there would be an attempt at his rescue from the Shining Path. Guzman ignored all of the questions by the reporters that were present, only shouting phrases from his belief and ideology.
"Under some circumstances, some think that this is a defeat. Keep on dreaming."
- Guzman when unveiled behind a cage after his arrest.
The Shining Path responded with some small scale bombings and killings, but the organization of the group was hurt when Guzman and some other leaders were captured. Guzman received multiple life sentences, and is now at the age of 82.
Guzman's arrest hurt the groups organization caused it to eventually dissolve in some areas of Peru, and shrink drastically in others.
Guzman's arrest hurt the groups organization caused it to eventually dissolve in some areas of Peru, and shrink drastically in others.