University of San Cristobal

The University of San Cristobal at Ayacucho, Peru, was where Abimael Guzman Reynoso, the founder of the Shining Path, was formerly a professor of philosophy. Many of its professors were members of the Shining Path or the Communist Party of Peru.¹

Ari Ben-Menashe applied for a position to teach about the Middle East at the University as a cover for his mission to secure rare minerals for Israel's nuclear program. The rector of the University accepted Ben-Menashe quickly, stating that his academic credentials were sufficient, and that his potential role as an intelligence officer was not their concern.¹