---
born: 1934-12-03
category: Other
died: 2021-09-11
location: Mollendo, Arequipa, Peru
summary: In 1980, Guzmán proclaimed the armed struggle against the capitalist government
  in Lima, and the Shining Path grew into a powerful force, leading to the declaration
  of martial law in the department of Ayacucho by Peruvian President Alan Garcia.
tags:
- Person
---

[Abimael Guzman Reynoso](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) was the founder and leader of the [Shining Path](/organizations/shining-path/) (El Sendero Luminoso), a Maoist terrorist group in [Peru](/places/peru/). He was formerly a professor of philosophy at the [University of San Cristobal](/organizations/university-of-san-cristobal/) at [Ayacucho](/places/ayacucho/), where he was considered a legendary figure by his followers, who saw him as the "fourth sword of Marxism" after Marx, Lenin, and [Stalin](/people/joseph-stalin/).[^1]

In 1980, [Guzmán](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) proclaimed the armed struggle against the capitalist government in [Lima](/places/lima/), and the [Shining Path](/organizations/shining-path/) grew into a powerful force, leading to the declaration of martial law in the department of [Ayacucho](/places/ayacucho/) by [Peruvian President Alan Garcia](/people/alan-garcia/).[^1]

In 1988, [Ari Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/) traveled to [Peru](/places/peru/) on a secret mission for [Yitzhak Shamir](/people/yitzhak-shamir/) to secure the purchase of rare minerals for [Israel's](/places/israel/) nuclear program. [Ari Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/) met [Guzmán](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) at a farmhouse in [Shining Path](/organizations/shining-path/)-controlled territory. [Guzmán](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) was initially suspicious of [Ben-Menashe](/people/ari-ben-menashe/), but was impressed by his directness. He revealed his own Jewish heritage and discussed his philosophy, which blended Inca and kibbutz ideology, and his views on equality and family.[^1]

[Guzmán](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) agreed to sell the minerals to [Israel](/places/israel/) for $10 million, to be deposited in a [Swiss](/places/switzerland/) bank account. He also requested that [Israel](/places/israel/) purchase a chain of five small newspapers, the [Ocho Group](/organizations/ocho-group/), on the movement's behalf, and provide medical equipment to be brought on the Cessnas transporting the minerals.[^1]

[Guzmán](/people/abimael-guzman-reynoso/) was rumored to have died of cancer in 1990, but he continued to lead the [Shining Path](/organizations/shining-path/). He was captured in 1992 and was imprisoned.[^1]

[^1]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. TrineDay, 1992.