Abimael Guzmán

Abimael Guzmán
Abimael Guzmán (right) and Elena Iparraguirre at their second trial in 2004
Leader of the Shining Path
In office 1960s – September 12, 1992
Succeeded by	Óscar Ramírez
Personal details
Born	(1934-12-03) 3 December 1934 (age 82) Arequipa, Peru
Political party	Communist Party of Peru - Shining Path
Spouse(s)	Elena Iparraguirre (2010-Present) Augusta la Torre (1964-1988)
Residence	Callao Naval Base
Occupation	Former philosophy university teacher.

Elena Iparraguirre (2010-Present)

Manuel Rubén Abimael Guzmán Reynoso (American Spanish: [maˈnwel ruˈβen aβimaˈel ɡuzˈman reiˈnoso]; born 3 December 1934), also known by the nom de guerre Chairman Gonzalo (Spanish: Presidente Gonzalo), a former professor of philosophy, is the former leader of the Shining Path during the Maoist insurgency known as the internal conflict in Peru. Shining Path had been active in Peru since the late 1970s and began what it called "the armed struggle" on 17 May 1980. Wanted on charges of terrorism and treason, Guzmán was captured by the Peruvian government in 1992 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

While the activity of the insurgency increased shortly after Guzmán's capture, it has declined in the years following. It has been criticized for its violence against peasants, trade union organizers, and elected officials, which were deemed by the group to be collaborating with the Peruvian state. Shining Path is on the U.S. Department of State's "Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations" list. The European Union, and Peru likewise describe Shining Path as a terrorist group and prohibit providing funding or other financial support.

Guzmán was born in the village of Tambo near Mollendo, a port town in the province of Islay, in the region of Arequipa, about 1,000 km (620 mi) south of Lima. He was the illegitimate son of a well-off merchant, the winner of the national lottery who had six children by three different women. Guzmán's mother, Berenice Reynoso, died when he was only five years old.