The Shining Path

When attempting to understand how such an extremist terrorist organization was so successful for twenty years in Peru, there are several factors of Peruvian society that must be considered. The racial/class relationship and the stark differences in economic conditions in Peru were key factors that contributed in the rising of Shining Path. Additionally, the absence of a competent and dependable government institutions such as the judicial system or corruption in the local law enforcement agencies lead to a general sentiment of rebellion against an incompetent government. Corruption at all levels of government also added to the large hostility towards the ruling political party.
The social structure of Peru is complex in that the majority

The enormous financial, cultural, and emotional repercussions that Shining Path 's popular war played are part of the Peruvian identity in which national reconciliation is critical to overcoming the terrorist tragedy. The lack of national security and the incompetent counterinsurgency tactics continued the suffering and precipitated the killings of thousands of peasants in the Peruvian highlands.
The Shining Path chose to start the armed struggle during the very sensitive times o the country 's move from authoritarian to democratically elected governmental rule. The government 's interest in the elections turned a blind eye to the happenings occurring in the rural areas of the country. (Gorriti, 1999)
The government 's counterinsurgency strategy in the 1980s was reactionary rather than proactive. The initial counterinsurgency efforts to suppress the Shining Path from expanding beyond Ayacucho proved to be ineffective. As such this led to an intensified and destructive counterterrorist plan imposed by Belaunde and Garcia 's

The Belaunde administration declared a state of emergency in Ayacucho as a response to the Shining Path 's threat to national security. In doing so, they suspended basic personal rights such as the right to assembly, travel, and inviolability of residence. The Peruvian military operating within the emergency zone could search any residence and arrest anyone without a warrant and served as the sole governing body of the region. The Garcia administration included a military program designed to protect key political figures, insulate local populations from guerrilla influence, and engage Shining Path cells in the field. As well as the development of an economic agenda designed to stimulate rural investment to raise the living conditions of the rural population.