Amidst a blatant censorship and/or disinformation campaign by the mainstream media controlled by imperialism (mainly Yankee imperialism) and the big Peruvian bourgeoisie, the People's War led by the Communist Party of Perú continues its strategic course of conquering power in all the country and liquidating the exploitative system. The supposed "split of Sendero," its strategic defeat, military containment, the "success of the pacification" policy, and the "booming economy," were quickly shattered when the world public opinion learned about the brilliant political and military offensives of the People's Army of Liberation during the guerrilla offensives of October and December of 1997, and January-August 1998. The victories of the People's Army of Liberation against the reactionary armed forces and the police reached the world as a penetrating sunlight that cannot be stopped by the bloody hands of a dying dictatorship and its imperialist masters.
The preparation for the strategic offensive of the People's War, consisting in the siege of the cities from the countryside and the strengthening of the urban struggle, continues developing. Even the most rabid enemies of the Peruvian revolution confirm it. Here is the statement of Carlos Tapia, who is not simply a 'bourgeois expert on the PCP," but a known Senderologist confident of the intelligence services (this clarification is needed to avoid any misunderstanding because the People's War does not target `bourgeois intellectuals' but proven snitches, spies and advisors of the genocidal armed forces and police of the ilk of Mela Moyano, Michel Azcueta, Raul Gonzales, Tapia, Degregori and others). Tapia stated the following:
"The Communist Party of Peru Sendero Luminoso has completed an internal reorganization campaign and reactivation that are reflected in some 500 subversive actions and the death of approximately 150 government forces during the second half of 1997. While these actions took place in isolated localities with a scarce population and without police posts, these do not diminish the importance of this sustained reactivation." (La Republica, January 1, 1998 and Agency France Press, January 1, 1998). Our question to this "honorable mercenary" of the armed forces is: If those localities taken over by the People's Army of Liberation had no police posts, what were the 150 members of the repressive forces executed by the PCP doing?
Raul Gonzalez, another Senderologist tied from the neck to the war rooms of the army intelligence services (SIE) said:
"From December 9 to December 16, the combined forces of the Special Operations Division of the Army and the Special Operations Division of the National Police, held at least four clashes with Senderista groups, capturing some 15 subversives, among them four political-military commanders and deactivating six Shining Path committees in this area of the Huallaga Front. Well-informed sources revealed that the clashes took place near the localities of San Pablo, Angashiyancu, Pacae and Varela located on the main highway (carretera marginal) . . . At some point in the San Jose Crespo Castillo District, a `powerful Shining Path' organization, equivalent to a fortress, with a large quantity of war material protected by Vietnam style booby traps, was dismantled . . . " (El Comercio, December 17, 1997). Here, "Dr. Gonzales" as well as "Dr. Montesinos," as these thugs are known in El "Pentagonito" (highest military headquarters in Lima), try to paint a favorable picture for the regime (e.g., endless `capture of terrorists'), but by doing so cannot hide aspects of the real situation. For instance, if in the normal process of restoration and counter restoration of PCP support bases, the reactionary armed forces were able to dismantle one out of the thousands of guerrilla bases existing in Peru, that is not a big deal. The stupidity of Gonzales is that by trying to discredit the PCP, he is revealing the existence of an important fact, which is desperately hidden by the regime and imperialism: The People's Committees (the New Power!) The seeds of the People's Republic of Perú.
The highlights presented in this report, represent a small fraction of the political and military actions of the People's War from August 1997 to the present. They are important to clarify and balance the information published in the bourgeois media, which are only based on the version of one of the parties in the armed conflict in Peru: the reactionary regime and its armed forces. In addition, the Peruvian press controlled mostly by the government and big capitalists (acting in collusion and collision), and who with their usual technique of publishing anti-PCP plots, fabricating lies, and twisting facts, have been forced to report a few events that can no longer be hidden from the people.
AYACUCHO: PEOPLE'S ARMY TAKES OVER THE CITY OF SAN
MIGUEL.
On October 12, 1997, at 8:00 P.M. a contingent of more than 100 Maoist combatants clashed and defeated the combined police and armed forces stationed in the military post of San Miguel, the capital of the province of La Mar, Ayacucho. Four policemen were annihilated in combat, and dozens were captured or surrendered. The military garrison was completely dynamited. After this successful action, the population greeted the victorious guerrillas who addressed them from the balconies of the government offices. Then the people led by members of the PCP began to distribute food, medicines and other goods to the local population, expropriated from the military warehouses, and supermarkets owned by the local landlords. This sounding defeat at the hands of the People's Army was acknowledged in a communique by the armed forces. However it acknowledged only two loses (the daily Expreso lamented the victory of the Maoists on October 14, 1997). Reuters reported this action on October 12, 1997, "Shining Path Returns: A column of 100 Maoist guerrillas took over the city of San Miguel . . . the bold attack was one in a series of operations nationwide that have shocked the country. There is compelling evidence that the Communist Party of Peru -official name of the Shining Pat. has reincorporated Ayacucho into a triangular power base after years of patient restructuring. This Party through its `popular army' now coordinates fighting units in Lima, the Central Highways and the jungle of Ayacucho, and the coca plant growing Valley of Huallaga, according to analysts and security forces." Reuters added, "a week after the attack, a 50-man Peruvian army unit went into the same town, and summoned and threatened the inhabitants with `drastic measures'. Commander (FFAA) Luis Rojas pounded his fist on a makeshift lectern saying that there were many local people who participated in the city take over of the guerrillas, and people must tell the armed forces who they are, otherwise there would be mass arrests."
HUANUCO: REACTIONARY ARMY AND ITS PARAMILITARIES
SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES.
On October 11, 1997 in the city of Huanuco (midtown), Maoist combatants clashed with a military patrol. Jaime de la Cruz Gutierrez, a member of the counterinsurgency police, was killed in combat and the others surrendered. A day earlier, in the District of Chinchao, the head of the paramilitary peasant rondas (a.k.a. Civil Defense Committee), was annihilated. (Expreso, October 11, 1997).
VIOLENT CLASHES BETWEEN THE PCP AND THE ARMED FORCES
IN THE PROVINCE OF SATIPO
On October 1, 1997, members of the reactionary armed forces and combatants of the People's Army of Liberation clashed in the community of Santa Cruz, District of Rio Tambo. After causing heavy casualties to the enemy ranks in the face of the armed forces' air bombardment against the civilian population, the Maoist contingent withdrew in an orderly manner. In retaliation, the military arrested several unarmed innocent peasants. They were refugees who were arrested so that the armed forces could cover their defeats in the battlefield, but the yellow press in Peru reported that they were "top leaders of Sendero who were captured." Some of them were later accused of being "authors of terrorist attacks in the Valley of Ene, Tambo, and sentenced to life in prison." (Expreso October 10, 1997 and El Comercio October 9, 1997).
PEOPLE'S ARMY TAKES OVER THE PROVINCE OF TINGO MARIA.
After a successful military offensive on October 2, 1997 most towns and villages of the Upper Huallaga Valley were taken over by combatants of the People's Army of Liberation. Hundreds of enemy troops of the reactionary armed forces, and civil defense (paramilitary or ronderos) surrendered, as well as five leaders of the ronderos. Seven authorities who were appointed and actively collaborated with the armed forces also surrendered, additionally, three military officers were executed in combat. The population greeted the victors and was allowed by the Maoists to loot the supermarkets and stores owned by cronies of the regime. The largest guerrilla contingent attacked the military base at the locality Los Milagros, 27 kilometers from the city of Tingomaria, on the highway known as the"Marginal de la Selva." The reactionary papers in Lima lamented about the guerrilla offensive (La República on October 1, 1997, and Expreso on October 2, 1997).
On April 20, 1998, a contingent of 100 combatants of the People's Army of Liberation took over the Town of Sachavaca where undercover police personnel were captured. The population greeted the victorious Maoists, and participated in a rally that lasted more than two hours. All trucks and passengers from buses stopped their activities due to an Armed Strike called for that day. One day before, the same PCP contingent took over the town of Palo Huimba, located 35 kilometers from the city of Tingo Maria.
On May 15, 1998, a cowardly and indiscriminate strife with incendiary bombs dropped from warplanes was perpetrated against the civilian populations of Aguaje and Santa Maria in the province of Leoncio Prado. Dozens of women and children were killed while they were being evacuated by leaders of the People's Committees, who exercise authority in the zone. After an orderly retreat of the masses, the infantry of the reactionary armed forces entered these towns to finish off several elderly and children who could not be evacuated on time. In Lima, the murderous regime claimed victory for its genocide. The reactionary papers El Comercio and La República (May 15, 1998) repeated the official version, "Sendero bases were taken over," and "dozens of terrorists were killed."
On January 29, 1998, an infiltrator of the army intelligence services (SIE), Juan Carlos Pinedo (previously served in the counterinsurgency Battalion No. 313), was identified and executed by the People's Army of Liberation. Another infiltrator planted by the reactionary marines was caught in the Town of Alto Pucate, and was summarily punished. This last incident was leaked by the police to the reactionary paper, La República on January 30, 1998.
AUCAYACU: PEOPLE'S ARMY TAKES OVER TOWN OF PUERTO
PACAE
After expelling a police unit and a handful of paramilitary rondas (Committee of Civil Defense) that were terrorizing the people, the Maoist guerrillas took over the locality of Puente Pacae, province of Aucayacu. The people marched in the streets full of joy and happiness and proudly waving the red flags of the international proletariat. The bells of the church rang continuously to greet the victorious fighters that celebrated the 18th anniversary of the glorious People's War. At the end of the day, there was a rally in the main square where the people spoke out openly, and denounced the government of thugs and narcotraffickers headed by the gangsters Hermoza-
Montesinos and their figurehead, the genocidal Fujimori. The people denounced the murders of leaders of the community at the hands of the death squads of the reactionary armed forces and police, and demanded justice. Thus, they put on trial and justly punished two snitches and informants who cooperated secretly with the death squads and the police. The reactionary paper El Comercio lamented these actions of the People's War (May 29, 1998).
Previously, on December 16, 1997, Juana Camara, an informant of the police in the zone, was summarily executed by a Maoist unit. Taking advantage of her post as President of the Glass of Milk Committee, this woman nailed innocent people to the political police of the regime SIN, who were later kidnaped from their homes and disappeared. Let's explain clearly that as a matter of policy, the PCP does not oppose nor militarily attack the distribution of milk or handouts to the poor, which are by-products conquered by the People's War. The PCP only attacks those programs directly or indirectly used by the armed forces and police for counterinsurgency tasks and those individuals who willingly and knowingly collaborate with repression against their own people.
MILITARY BASE OF SATIPO OVERRUN BY THE PEOPLE'S ARMY
On July 24, 1998 at 10:30 A.M., contingents of the PCP People's Army of Liberation clashed
with an army battalion stationed in the military base "Llanos Solis" of Satipo. The battle lasted at
least one hour, faced by the superior moral and tactic of the revolutionaries most of the
reactionary forces surrendered to the Maoists. Military supplies and equipment were captured,
and the base was later dynamited by the rebels. The guerrillas were hailed and greeted by the
people of Satipo for this great victory of the People's War, and in a public assembly denounced
the abuses and crimes they suffered at the hands of the reactionary Army. Most of the captured
soldiers were given the option to go home and were released, but some of them joined the
People's War. Under the slogans "Elections no, People's War yes" and ¡Viva el Presidente
Gonzalo! The guerrillas returned to their support bases deep in the jungle in a disciplined and
orderly manner.
In the afternoon, the Regional Army Commander of Ayacucho issued official communique No. 004/SZNC-7 reporting the loss of two soldiers, the "kidnaping of others by terrorists," and the initiation of an intense operation of "annihilation of senderistas" by land and air with helicopters.
HUANCAYO: GUERRILLAS TAKE OVER OF THE CITY OF ANGASYACU
In early July 25, 1998, more than 100 combatants of the People's Army of liberation overrun a
military patrol and its paramilitary (Committee of Civil Defense or rondas), and seized
Angasyacu. Hundreds of people came to the streets to greet the marching and singing guerrillas,
even the local authorities of the old state were there, red flags suddenly appeared posted high in
many public institutions (including the church), walls were painted denouncing the farcical
"municipal elections," and the bells of the church sounded louder than ever welcoming the arrival
of the New Power. The rally in the streets, and the meeting at the main square lasted more than
five hours, then the Maoists retreated to their base.
Four hours later, a combined force of the police and army arrived to the city, arresting the local authorities for welcoming the guerrillas. They were threatened to death if they don't accept to be candidates of the government's party in the municipal elections. Also, several people were rounded up and accused of being "terrorists." This is the pattern of these myrmidons who show courage to repress unarmed civilians but are cowards facing in battle the People's Army.
AYACUCHO: BLOODY MILITARY BATTLES IN VIZCATAN
In early March 12, 1998, a face to face combat between the contingent "Centenario del Presidente Mao" of the People's Army of Liberation and a combined battalion of the reactionary armed forces and police, took place near Vizcatan. At least 10 soldiers were killed and six others were wounded, and a helicopter was hit when it tried to remove some of the wounded. The regime's political and military command of Ayacucho stated in a public communique published in Lima's papers that "10 subversives were killed," but couldn't offer any proof. (El Comercio, March 3, 1998).
Due to the creation, and in some cases restoration of open People's Committees such as those at Golden Seal (Sello de Oro) and New Independence, the reactionary armed forces have summoned (under threats of incarceration) all leaders and authorities of peasant communities, including those occupied by paramilitary rondas, located at the bank the Apurimac River. According to the official paper Expreso (Nov. 23, 1997), they received orders at this meeting to retake this vast area that is now in the hands of the PCP subversives.
AYACUCHO: SABOTAGE TO ECONOMIC TARGETS
On October 3, 1997, in the Province of La Mar, more than 30 members of the People's Army attacked and took over an army-run construction base involved in the building of a penetration highway from Auquiraccay to Chungui, which had a clear counterinsurgency purpose (to transport heavy military equipment and to bomb several People's Committees led by the PCP.) The local people, many of them members of the People's Committees, burned a tractor and a compactor. (El Comercio, October 6, 1997)
On November 19, 1997, another Maoist contingent belonging to the PCP Zonal Committee of Victor Fajardo-Cangallo, of more than 100 combatants led by a woman, "Comrade Leocadia," a very popular young military leader of the PCP, smashed the military posts, police patrols and paramilitary rondas in the Valley of Apurimac River. The victorious guerrilla contingent was warmly received by the peasants in the communities of Vilcahuaman, Conception, Santa Rosa de Cochamarca, Suarama and Astania, who celebrated the consolidation of the New Power in the place of birth of the revolution: Ayacucho.
AYACUCHO: PEOPLE'S ARMY TAKES OVER PROVINCE
OF HUANTA.
On December 28, 1997, a Maoist contingent of more than 100 fighters, defeated the reactionary marines and their paramilitary rondas in two bloody battles: Ayahuanco and Sinhuahuayco. After the surrender of the regime's forces, the populations marched in a large rally that lasted more than two hours. They chanted, ¡Viva la invencible Guerra Popular! ¡Muerte al Gobierno del Genocida, Vendepatria y Fascista Fujimori! ¡Viva el 18 Anniversario de la Guerra Popular! A few days before, on December 25, the same contingent easily overran the army-run paramilitaries in the Towns of Tamopacocha and Irco, whose members, after killing the ronda chieftains in a People's Assembly, joined the guerrillas. The government through its reactionary paper Expreso on December 30, 1997, trying to minimize this victorious action of the PCP by reporting this event as follows:
"The peasants of the Ayahianco self-defense Committees, Huanta, were surprised by about 40 subversives while patrolling the Sinhuahuaycco area in Huanta, where a terrorist raid had occurred a few days earlier. The confrontation between subversives and ronderos lasted approximately two hours and as a result, one rondero was killed and three wounded."
The regime has sent more helicopters and increased its firepower. It also sent reinforcements in weapons and resources to its paramilitary rondas. On November 19, 1997, about 2,500 ronderos received hundreds of guns as well as a large supply of ammunition from the hands of the genocidal General Hermoza Rios, the head of the Peruvian armed forces. However, this policy of arming the peasant rondas is not bad for the revolution since the PCP does not have much trouble in defeating the so-called self-defense committees (rondas) and capture those weapons. Therefore, the transfer of weapons from the rondas to the PCP is becoming more smooth and dynamic. It is important to note that at a base level, the rondas have strong contradictions with the reactionary armed forces and their appointed chieftains (corrupted rich peasants or former military), so that on many occasions -as occurred in the community of Irco (Ayacucho), the rondas themselves request the intervention of the People's Army of Liberation to get rid of their oppressors.
The presence of the PCP is felt even in the same capital city of Huamanga, Ayacucho, in which there was an attempt even against the local headquarters of the paramilitary rondas known as "Casa del Rondero" located inside the army military garrison "Domingo Ayarza." Finally, the paper El Comercio reported on November 20, 1997 that the load of weapons handed over to the murderous paramilitary in Ayacucho were blessed by Juan Luis Cipriani, the same killer priest involved in the incident at the Japanese Embassy in early 1997.
AYACUCHO: PEOPLE'S ARMY OF LIBERATION DEMOLISHED
THE MILITARY BASE OF ARGUIMAYO IN THE PROVINCE OF LA MAR.
On May 17, 1998, as part of the celebration of the 18th anniversary of the People's War, in a coordinated attack, combatants of the People's Army of Liberation overran the military base of Arquimayo, near Chiquitirca, province of La Mar. Several officers of the reactionary armed forces of Fujimori were killed in combat, and a large quantity of weapons were captured by the guerrilla forces.
On May 31, 1998, a contingent of 85 fighters of the People's Army clashed with a combined navy/army unit of reaction in the District of Anco, which resulted in at least 12 losses and four wounded for the reactionary armed forces. The political-military authority in Ayacucho issued a communique downplaying its losses, and it admitted only three losses: "two sergeants wounded and one killed was the result of the military confrontation with the terrorists armed with AKM guns."
EL HUALLAGA: PEOPLE'S ARMY TAKES OVER TOWN
OF HUAMALIES AND AGUA BLANCA.
On December 22, 1997, a Maoist contingent of more than 30 combatants and hundreds of local supporters took over the towns of Agua Blanca and Huamalies. Under the slogan of ¡Viva el Presidente Gonzalo! shouted loud and militantly, the people gathered at the main square. There were several speeches from town people denouncing the abuses of the genocidal armed forces and the corrupt fascist dictator Fujimori. One elderly woman denounced the crimes against humble local peasants whose bodies were found recently in mass graves and in banks of rivers. These crimes were perpetrated by the reactionary Peruvian marines now acting under the command of Yankee military instructors. The masses responded, Yankee Go Home! ¡Viva el Partido Comunista del Perú!
At the end, the masses requested the execution of two snitches working on behalf of SIN, the political police. These characters had participated earlier in one of the PCP-generated organizations, but after their captures were recruited as cover agents by the police. They were freed by the regime on the condition that they deliver names and addresses of revolutionaries, and propagandize the scams of "struggle for peace accord with Fujimori, " and the "two line struggle over peace talks in the PCP." Most important, they have fingered several humble people who were later arrested and assassinated by the death squads of the regime. The policy of the PCP is strict on this matter: If the myrmidons are indeed spies and/or organizers of death squads, then it is perfectly correct to judge and punish them severely on those grounds. But if they are simply spreading propaganda against Communism or the People's War, the PCP deals with them politically: Therefore, it uses propaganda against propaganda. (Expreso, December 25, 1997).
VIOLENT CLASHES IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE OF
PATAZ.
On September 4, in the District of Huarichacra, Maoist guerrillas clashed violently with a combined police/army squad. The casualties were heavy on both sides. However, the PCP achieved a political victory because the masses were mobilized in support of the People's War and dozens of local youth voluntarily joined the armed struggle. The masses marched upholding the slogans: ¡Viva el Presidente Gonzalo! ¡Viva la Guerra Popular! The red flag was posted on top of the municipality, and leaflets were also distributed. Graffiti art was visible on walls and on the highway. Once army reinforcements arrived by helicopters, the Maoists retreated to their base. After the guerrillas left the town, the genocidal armed forces of Fujimori arrested several innocent civilians to show them for propaganda purposes. They were shown on TV and yellow papers as "top terrorists arrested with subversive propaganda, military uniforms and weapons." (Expreso, October 2, 1997).
On October 1, 1997, another contingent of the People's Army took over the community of Cochas, which is also in the northern region of Peru.
ARMY TRUCK IS AMBUSHED IN CERRO DE PASCO (CENTRAL
PERU)
On May 13, 1998, in the city of Oxapampa (near the Palcazu River) a truck of the reactionary police forces was ambushed by a contingent of the People's Army of Liberation. One myrmidon was killed and another wounded, and some other military surrendered. The Maoists also attacked a military patrol in the town of Villa Rica in Peru's Central Jungle, killing in combat the abusive butcher Lieutenant Luis Hernandez Fernandez.
HUANCAYO: RADIO STATIONS TAKEN OVER BY GUERRILLAS.
On November 16, 1997, in the city of Huancayo, an urban commando of the People's Army of Liberation led by a woman, took over the radio station "Constelación." At news break time (6:10 A.M.), a PCP female broadcaster in a soft but clear voice greeted the heroic Peruvian people, and immediately transmitted an official communique of the PCP Central Committee "Against the Genocidal, Country Seller and Fascist Dictatorship, Develop More the People's War," which lasted 40 minutes. After the broadcast was completed, the police tried to confiscate the prerecorded tape but blew into pieces in the face of the myrmidons. The radio station which has a regional audience, is located in the populous district of Chilca (El Comercio, November 17, 1998). The same day, there was also a report on this action in the Mexican news agency Notimex, "the Maoist guerrillas, led by a woman played cassettes with subversive slogans supporting the armed struggle."
PALPA: OFFICE OF MAYOR AND ORGANIZER OF PARAMILITARY
DYNAMITED.
On January 19, 1998, in the city of Palpa, district of Tarma, a special commando of the People's Army of Liberation dynamited the office and home of Samuel Luna Rojas, a paramilitary chieftain "democratically" appointed as Mayor of the city by the armed forces of the genocidal regime of Fujimori. This corrupt character, instead of attending the basic needs of his community, has been involved full time in counterinsurgency activities. For this reason, this just punishment by the PCP was well received by the people. After the attack, the Maoists distributed hundreds of leaflets greeting the 18 Anniversary of the People's War and calling for the population to join the armed struggle.
SATIPO: ASHANINKA WARRIORS, BACKBONE OF THE
PEOPLE'S WAR.
The People's Army of Liberation, including the top PCP leaders in this zone, is made up mostly by members of the Ashaninka nationality, who are engaged in continuous combats against the reactionary armed forces and its paramilitary organization: the Committee of Civil Defense (rondas). In the District of Samao, for example, the Maoist attacks are so frequent that a ronda leader has recently denounced the government's military for utilizing them as parapets against the guerrilla attacks. He told the official paper El Comercio (November 12, 1997): "because the army uses us as guide and shield against the guerrillas, on October 14, 1997, two of our people were killed in a guerrilla attack in the village of Sonomoro. During the last months, there have been many military clashes between the army and subversive columns, and the participation of the Ashaninka fighters on the side of the terrorist revolutionaries is significant."
IMPERIALIST OIL COMPANY ELF SUSPENDS WORK IN
THE JUNGLE.
Due to the intense activity of the People's Army of Liberation, led by the PCP, the oil exploration taking place in areas abutting the Ene River (Central Jungle) in the provinces of Satipo and Chanchamayo, have been suspended. Although the French company ELF, which operates in the Peruvian jungle as subsidiary of major Yankee and European oil corporations, was heavily protected by the reactionary armed forces, paramilitary rondas and private security, it was overrun by the People's Army of Liberation. The rebels captured a large amount of weapons and explosives. Additionally, several military officers and paramilitary protecting the base were captured by the Maoist guerrillas. In an attempt to discredit this spectacular political and military action by the PCP, the regime and its yellow press reported that "29 workers were kidnaped by Sendero." In reality, a handful of management personnel (most of them from imperialist countries) was detained and later released. Subsequently, there were several military clashes in Satipo between units of the reactionary armed forces and the People's Army of Liberation. For two weeks, more than 1,000 troops and 600 paramilitary rondas fought against hundreds of Maoists and local supporters in several villages of the zone.
The PCP controls a large territory in the zone and enjoys the support of the peasantry laboring in the extensive coca plantations and oil workers. In late September 1997, ELF suspended its activities "until full guarantees are provided to the staff." Police Commander Luis Cabuye Huarcaya, Chief of the police forces in Satipo, said that the oil company has removed staff and machinery, including the helicopters it uses from the Kiteni and Potsoreni areas. (El Comercio, October 3, 1997). In a similar action, the imperialist companies Shell and Mobil could not cope with the struggle of the fighting people, and the risk of being wipe out by the People's War, they suspended their exploration activitites of the gas of Camisea in Cusco (Southern Peru).
LIMA. AGITATION AND PROPAGANDA IN THE DISTRICT
OF LA VICTORIA
On April 21, 1998 at 9:30 A.M., the Maoists took over the streets of la Victoria to carry out propaganda in support of the People's War. The rebels confiscated medical supplies and other goods from an army-controlled health center.
LIMA. PRIVATIZED ENERGY CORPORATION "LUZ
DEL SUR" BOMBED
On December 28, 1997, at 11:30 P.M., members of the People's Army of Liberation exploded a car bomb in the installations of the electricity company Luz del Sur located at O'valo de Santa Anita in Metropolitan Lima. The Maoist combatants were careful in not causing human loses, but it caused heavy physical damage to the infrastructure. (El Comercio, December 29, 1997). Luz del Sur, a privatized company that profits from electricity sales to residents in Southern Lima, is owned jointly by the Canadian Ontario Hydro Inc., and the Chilean Chilquinta International Inc. A couple of months earlier "Edelnor," another imperialist supplier of electricity to Northern Lima, whose president is Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (the corrupt former energy Minister of Belaunde), was demolished by the People's Army of Liberation.
LIMA: 1,500 MEMBERS OF THE ARMY AND POLICE ASSIGNED TO PROTECT THE
HEADS OF THE GENOCIDAL REGIME FROM THE ATTACKS OF THE PCP
On July 28, 1998, during the military parade on the 177th anniversary of the independence from
Spain, to prevent attacks from the People's Army of Liberation, the heads the genocidal regime
of Fujimori used 1,500 heavily armed soldiers and hundreds of plain clothes security services as
shield. If the PCP is not their main threat, whom are these gentlemen protecting from? Why are
they afraid if according to them "sendero has been defeated?" Why did they have six helicopters
constantly flying over that zone? Why the three adjacent large avenues surrounding the parade
were sealed with tanks?As always, the same criminals were on the tribune: Victor Joy Way, the recently hired and fired Valle Riestra, Fujimori (and his death squad advisor Montesinos) and his puppeteers, the generals Hermoza Rios, Cesar Saucedo Sanchez, among others. Behind, holding a holy water and ready to bless the bloody bayonets, were the killer priests Augusto Vargas Alzamora and Juan Luis Cipriani.
PARAMILITARY CIVIL DEFENSE COMMITTEES TORN
DOWN BY THE PCP
On January 14, 1998, a Maoist contingent attacked the counterinsurgency base of Sungaypucco located in the province of Pampas. During this action, the guerrillas killed in combat the chieftain of the paramilitary group. A progovernment paper reported this action as follows: "Members of a column of 30 male and female terrorists belonging to the Shining Path subversive group attacked the town of Sungaypucco, located close to the Cobriza mining center, in the province of Pampas, Huancavelica. The ronderos tried to repel the attack, but they opted to withdraw and put themselves a safe distance away. In this confrontation, the rondero Hugo Flores Yupanqui (31) was killed, and wounded was his comrades Vicente Rivera Mendez (39), and Samuel Aguilar Limache (38) . . . " (Expreso, January 15, 1998).
On January 28, 1998, more than 100 fighters of the base force of the People's Army smashed the paramilitary base of Boca Potsoteni in the province of Satipo. The reactionary press in Lima picked up the "news" from the public relations office of the national police as follows: "a military confrontation between ronderos and more than 30 subversives of Sendero lasted about one hour in the province of Satipo." La Republica said also that "four senderistas and four ronderos were killed in the action." This lying press made the number of dead equally, so as to deny that over a dozen paramilitary rondas were eliminated in combat, not counting those seriously wounded and surrendered. The battle began at 5 A.M.. and the guerrillas effectively liquidated the paramilitary in this Town. This ronda, as well as many others in Peru were organized and is controlled by the reactionary armed forces in the region. In the province of Satipo, the regime has 200 anti guerrilla bases mostly made up by peasant rondas and civil defense groups, who were coerced by the armed forces to participate as human shields against the guerrillas, therefore, these peasants have strong contradictions with the reactionary armed forces.
MASS GRAVE OF PEOPLE MURDERED BY THE REACTIONARY
ARMY AND POLICE FOUND IN THE PROVINCE OF OCROS (NORTHERN PERU)
On October 5, 1997, in the locality of Llacmoc, District of Lupa, more than 120 human bones were collected from an underground mine. This is further evidence of the crimes committed against humanity by the reactionary regimes in Perú (Belaunde, Garcia and Fujimori), which will be fully investigated and punished by the people only after the seizure of power by the PCP. Among the bones were also human remains still covered with pants and sneakers, and T-shirts that appeared to be from the years 1989 and 1991. Read the PCP document "Develop the People's War, Serving the World Revolution" in the PCP web page for a detailed denunciation of genocides and mass graves done during these years. (El Comercio, October 6, 1997).
HUALLAGA: POLICE CHIEF EXECUTED IN COMBAT BY
PEOPLE'S ARMY
On October 18, 1997, a Maoist contingent of about 50 combatants, conducted a demolishing attack against a U.S. trained counterinsurgency police base in Alto Huallaga, who, under the disguise of fighting drug trafficking, terrorize poor peasants living and working in the coca fields in the zone. Three police officers were executed in combat, and many were wounded and captured. Among the criminals killed was the Chief of the police base DIRANDRO, Commander Walter Esquivel who was in charge of the entire province of Tingo Maria, and Mayors Luis Castillo and Luis Caceres. Many others were wounded during the gunfire, but a large number of troops surrendered to the PCP and were later freed or have joined the People's Army. After the base was overrun by the Maoist rebels, some officers tried to escape leaving the defense of the base to their troops, however, a quick action on the part of the guerrillas, prevented their escape wounding the driver, Lt. Ramon Durand. He was given basic medical attention by the guerrilla unit, and according to the same progovernment papers in Lima, he has survived (El Comercio, October 19, 1997).
SATIPO: ARMY PATROL SMASHED BY MAOIST GUERRILLAS
On October 14, 1997, a detachment of the People's Army of Liberation clashed with a unit of the reactionary army and its paramilitary rondas. As a result, a military truck was demolished with dynamite and an army patrol ambushed. Two soldiers died in combat, and the other two were wounded. Other attacks occurred in the District of San Martin de Pangoa where the reactionary armed forces were expelled. The reactionary paper El Comercio provided the government's version (October 20, 1997).
PUNO: PCP AND FUJIMORI'S ARMY ENGAGED
IN VIOLENT COMBATS
On September 5, 1997, a devastating attack was carried out against a military post in the community of Nunoa, Province of Melgar. In addition, despite tight government censorship, several clashes between Maoist forces and the army were reported in this southern part of Perú by the local press of Puno and Juliaca. Also reported was the arrest of innocent peasants who were later showed by the military as "captured terrorists." Another reason to arrest innocent people is that the military charges large sums of money from their relatives in exchange for their release.
THE BATTLE OF TOCACHE: A VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE"S
ARMY OF LIBERATION AND THE MASTERFUL LEADERSHIP OF THE PCP
This important battle took place on November 23, 1997, in Challauyaco, near Puerto Pisana (20 kilometers from the city of Tocache). Both sides had about 100 fighters, and the combat lasted about two hours. The PCP combatants using grenade launchers and explosives, attacked from two directions and penetrated the defenses of the reactionary forces. The reactionary army suffered at least 25 loses. A communique from the armed forces (FFAA) published in Peruvian papers on November 24, 1997, acknowledged that only eight soldiers were killed, but did not provide their number of wounded and deserters after this important military confrontation.
PCP NORTHEN REGIONAL COMMITTEE: PEOPLE'S ARMY
CARRIES OUT AGITATION AND PROPAGANDA IN PIURA AND CHICLAYO
The PCP has been also conducting political and military activities in Northern Peru. In November 19, 1997, a large contingent of the People's Army clashed with a combined unit of the army and police on the highway connecting the localities of Olmos and Corral Quemado, in the border of the Departments of Piura and Chiclayo. Another guerrilla attack occurred the following day in San Francisco de Landa (District of Huarmaca), in the Department of Piura, and another one in Olmos (Department of Lambayeque.) Unable to contain the frontal attacks of the People's Army of Liberation, the reactionary army and police, especially the butchers at the Second Police Region based in the city of Chiclayo, have ransacked dozens of homes, disappeared 11 noncombatants, and murdered in their homes at least 12 innocent civilians accused of being "terrorists." Other 10 local people, who refused to join the paramilitary rondas, were arrested as "wanted terrorists." These people were tortured in the police headquarters of the city of Chiclayo, and remained detained to this date.
LIMA: REGIME'S "OFFICE OF NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION,"
DYNAMITED
On September 24, 1997, at 10:15 P.M., an urban contingent of the People's Army of Liberation smashed with two powerful bombs the offices of "Sistema de Identificación Peruano" (Office for the Identification System), located in the Districts of San Juan de Miraflores and Ate Vitarte. This bureaucratic engender was created by the dictatorship as an accessory to the counterinsurgency efforts, the so-called low intensity warfare designed by the Yankee Pentagon, which consist in combining military actions with psychological operations against the Peruvian people. After the simultaneous attack, leaflets in red ink were spread around by back up guerrilla units, in which they greet the Peruvian masses in their resistance to the genocidal regime led by the armed forces and their figurehead puppet Fujimori. The Maoist rebels warned the police stations of Metropolitan Lima, especially those located in wealthy neighborhoods of Miraflores, San Isidro, Petit Thouars, as well as the Spanish killer priest operating in Ayacucho Juan Luis Cipriani, for their crimes they commit with impunity against the people. (La República, September 25, 1997)
HUANCABAMBA: MUNICIPALITY (CITY HALL) SMASHED
On January 2, 1998, a column of the People's Army of Liberation attacked the installations of the municipality of Huncabamba. The corrupt Mayor of Huncabamba, also "democratically elected" by the reactionary armed forces (initials in Spanish FFAA), is heavily involved in counterinsurgency. This municipality serves as headquarter of the regime's paramilitary Civil Defense Committee (rondas) and is involved in the building of roads so as to facilitate the introduction of tanks and light artillery that would fire against the People's Committees. The Maoists dynamited the heavy equipment, and tractors causing the regime million of dollars in losses. Few days later, on January 13, 1998, another guerrilla column made up by 50 combatants took the control of the town of Rinconada, also in the province of Huancabamba. The people greeted the victorious rebels on the streets, and shouted revolutionary slogans: ¡Viva el Presidente Gonzalo! ¡Viva la Guerra Popular! ¡Muerte al Genocida Vendepatria Fujimori! The few myrmidons (police) and mercenaries of the regime fled in panic, however, the masses captured two individuals who were infiltrated by the army to organize paramilitary rondas. The guerrillas had accurate information about the crimes perpetrated by the two promoters of the army-run Self-defense Committee (rondas), who after a speedy trial and due process were annihilated on the spot.
CAJAMARCA (Northern Perú): People's Army of Liberation Takes Over Province of Contumaza
On July 31, 1998, after a successful battle, more than 100 Maoist combatants overrun an army post and took over districts of the province of Contumaza (only 3 hours from the capital city of Cajamarca). From town to town and from village to village, the Maoists marched victoriously hurling high the red flag of the international proletariat. In the the city of El Salitral, for example, the combatants remained there for 6 hours. At about 8 A.M., the entire population welcomed the victors -the bells of the town announced the arrival of the armed sons and daughters of the people. The youth could'n wait. From the local high school, hundreds of students run in mass to greet the PCP fighters -singing revolutionary songs and shouting slogans such as: ¡Viva el Presidente Gonzalo! ¡Viva la Invencible Guerra Popular! ¡Elecciones No, Guerra Popular Si! At the main square, all local authorities appointed by dictator Fujimori resigned and were allowed to go home free. The masses openly voiced their grievances, the abuses at the hands of the regime's military and paramilitary (rondas), they requested the release of several local teachers who are in prison in Cajamarca, they denounced the abuses of the Ministry of Agriculture that has been taken away their lands, and in general against the genocidal and country selling regime of Fujimori. While the New Power advances, the days are numbered for the exploiters and blood suckers of Perú.
PEOPLE'S ARMY OF LIBERATION TAKES OVER THE CITY OF SAPOSOA
Thousands of people turned to the streets of Saposoa to take justice in their own hands, expropriating the property of the oppressors, and celebrating the arrival of the New Power. They angrily protested against the prevailing misery and abandonment of the city by the old State. The people drink contaminated water that has caused illnesses and the death of many residents, and it doesn't have adequate electricity service, even less sewage, and no health care which has spread the cholera epidemic. Meanwhile, the Mayor Celso Rodriguez, who was appointed by the military through a sham "election," was enthroned in the municipality and is dedicated almost exclusively to repressive activities, working hand in hand with the police and the Self Defense Committee (paramilitary rondas). He along with his cronies deserted his own pro-government rally of the Party "Vamos Vecino," organized by Fujimori, but was captured by the people in the District of Atarraya about 75 Km. from Saposoa. He was the perennial mayor of Saposoa, the candidate of the armed forces, and just like his crony Fujimori, he wanted a third term. But it was too late. He was brought to the main square of the city to face a public trial, and several residents took the stand to testify and denounce his crimes.
Th Mayor was accused of being responsible for the death of several people whose bodies were found a few weeks before in the shores of the river, for having deals with Colombian narcotraffickers and finally for being a hit man of the genocidal armed forces of Fujimori. Unlike the racist kangaroo courts in imperialist countries, the evidence presented at the people's trial were very credible and beyond any reasonable doubt. The defendant (in this case an authority of the old oppressive State) showed no remorse for the victims nor their families. After a speedy trial, the masses unanimously requested the Mayor's execution. A single bullet on the neck fired by a revolutionary woman put an end to the life of this myrmidon of the murderous Fujimori regime.
Published by The New Flag Magazine, August 1998.
http://wwww.blythe.org/peru-pcp