Abstract The Shining Path terrorist group launched a series of attacks in Peru, terrorizing the country for decades before they were beaten back in a 1990's crackdown. However, in March 2002, a car bomb attack near the United States embassy in Lima made Peruvian citizens recall their fears of terrorism. While the Shining Path has remained low-key for several years, the national and state government still recognize it as a terrorist organization. This paper takes a look at this group, including its history and leadership, structure and activities.
From the Paper "The Shining Path was defeated for many reasons. For one, there was a lack of support among large sectors of the population as the group used authoritarian methods against peasants, workers, and other sectors of the population (Rueter?s, 1998). In addition, its brutal military repression all but guaranteed its lack of success, and the group was opposed by grass-roots organizations. Finally, the vertical nature of the party structure led to international isolation. The group was doomed."
