Abimael Guzmán
Manuel Rubén Abimael Guzmán Reynoso (Latin American Spanish: [maˈnwel ruˈβen aβimaˈel ɡusˈman rejˈnoso]; 3 December 1934 − 11 September 2021), also known by his nom de guerre Chairman Gonzalo (Spanish: Presidente Gonzalo), was a Peruvian Maoist guerrilla leader and terrorist. He founded the organization Communist Party of Peru – Shining Path (PCP-SL) in 1969 and led a rebellion against the Peruvian government until his capture by authorities in 12 September 1992. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and treason.
Abimael Guzmán | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Guzmán | |
| Chairman of the Communist Party of Peru | |
| In office 1969 – 12 September 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Óscar Ramírez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manuel Rubén Abimael Guzmán Reynoso 3 December 1934 Mollendo, Peru |
| Died | 11 September 2021 (aged 86) Callao, Peru |
| Political party | Communist Party of Peru – Shining Path |
| Spouses | |
| Occupation | Professor, guerrilla leader |
| Nickname(s) | Comrade Gonzalo, Chairman Gonzalo, Fourth sword of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | People's Guerrilla Army |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | Internal conflict in Peru |
| Criminal conviction | |
| Criminal status | Died in custody |
| Conviction(s) | Terrorism Murder |
| Criminal penalty | Two life sentences |
In the 1960s and 1970s, Guzmán was a professor of philosophy active in far-left politics strongly influenced by Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism. He developed an ideology of armed struggle stressing the empowerment of the Indigenous people. He went underground in the mid-1970s to become the leader of the Shining Path, which began "The People's War" or the "Armed Struggle" on 17 May 1980.