Ecuador: Information on Red Sun (Sol Rojo) and other currently existing militant or terrorist groups as well as information on any connections between Red Sun and the AVC (Alfaro Vive Carajo)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ECU16724.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ecuador: Information on Red Sun (Sol Rojo) and other currently existing militant or terrorist groups as well as information on any connections between Red Sun and the AVC (Alfaro Vive Carajo), 1 March 1994, ECU16724.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2358.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A group calling itself Red Sun (Sol Rojo in Spanish and Puka Inti in Quecha) (AP 12 July 1993) reportedly first appeared in 1992 (Inter Press Service 25 Feb. 1993; Andean Newsletter Mar. 1993, 5-6; Latin American Regional Report: Andean Group 28 Jan. 1993). The Andean Newsletter adds that it appeared "after a split with the virtually non-existent" AVC (Alfaro Vive Carajo) (Mar. 1993, 6). Although, according to one source, Red Sun claims it has been active for five years (Latin American Weekly Report 25 Nov. 1993, 594), two other sources report that it is among some half dozen similar groups formed in 1992 in Ecuador, including Heroes of Canto Grande (Heroes de Canto Grande), which first appeared in May, Popular Militias (Milicias Populares), which first appeared in June, Freedom Group (Grupo Libertad) and which first appeared in September (Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group 28 Jan. 1993; Inter Press Service 25 Feb. 1993).
Red Sun is suspected to have ties to the Peruvian Maoist group Sendero Luminoso (Latin American Weekly Report 25 Nov. 1993, 549; Andean Newsletter Mar. 1993, 5-6). It reportedly adopted the "cover name" of Sendero Luminoso's leader, Abamael Guzman, who went by Sol Rojo in the 1960s (Inter Press Service 16 June 1993).
While, in June and July 1993, the Ecuadoran authorities denied the existence of Red Sun (Latin American Weekly Report 1 July 1993, 298; Inter Press Service 16 June 1993), the group had claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks, including the dynamite bombing of the building which housed the Ministry of Finance (Inter Press Service 25 Feb. 1993) and a bomb attack on the Transandean oil pipeline (Latin American Weekly Report 25 Nov. 1993, 549; ibid. 12 Aug. 1993, 365). It is also suspected of having planted several other bombs since 1992 (Andean Newsletter Nov. 1993, 6).
The Democratic People's Movement (MPD) was accused of being linked to Red Sun, but the MPD has denied the allegations (Voz de los Andes 27 Sept. 1993). In November 1993, Red Sun was reportedly "badly damaged" by arrests (Latin American Weekly Report 23 Dec. 1993, 590). A member who was arrested claimed that Red Sun was lead by Kléber Gía Bustamante (Latin American Weekly Report 25 Nov. 1993, 549; Andean Newsletter Nov. 1993, 5), but Bustamante's family reportedly stated that he was not involved and had been studying and working in Belgium since March 1992 (Andean Newsletter Nov. 1993, 5-6).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to
be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. November 1993. No. 84. "Family Denies Leading 'Sol Rojo'."
. March 1993. No. 76. "Harsh Blow to Subversion."
Associated Press. 12 July 1993. AM Cycle. "Guerrilla Groups Still Operating in Latin America." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service. 16 June 1993. "Ecuador: Police Deny Reports about New Guerrilla Group." (NEXIS)
. 25 February 1993. "Ecuador: Maoist Rebel Group Claims Responsibility for Attack." (NEXIS)
Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group [Lima]. 28 January 1993. "1992 One of Worst Years on Record: Guerrilla and Drugs Wars Take Heavy Toll of Lives." (NEXIS)
Latin American Weekly Report [Lima]. 23 December 1993. "Ecuador."
. 25 November 1993. "Police Capture 'Red Sun' Guerrila."
. 12 August 1993. "Pipeline Damaged."
. 1 July 1993. "Football Cup a Mixed Blessing."
Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 27 September 1993. "MPD Rejects Links to 'Red Sun' Subversive Group." (FBIS-LAT-93-189 1 Oct. 1993, p. 20)
Attachments
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. November 1993. No. 84. "Family Denies Leading 'Sol Rojo'," pp. 5-6.
. March 1993. No. 76. "Harsh Blow to Subversion," pp. 5-6.
Associated Press. 12 July 1993. AM Cycle. "Guerrilla Groups Still Operating in Latin America." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service. 16 June 1993. "Ecuador: Police Deny Reports about New Guerrilla Group." (NEXIS)
. 25 February 1993. "Ecuador: Maoist Rebel Group Claims Responsibility for Attack." (NEXIS)
Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group [Lima]. 28 January 1993. "1992 One of Worst Years on Record: Guerrilla and Drugs Wars Take Heavy Toll of Lives." (NEXIS)
Latin American Weekly Report [Lima]. 23 December 1993. "Ecuador," p. 590.
. 25 November 1993. "Police Capture 'Red Sun' Guerrilla," p. 549.
. 12 August 1993. "Pipeline Damaged," p. 365.
. 1 July 1993. "Football Cup a Mixed Blessing," p. 298.
Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 27 September 1993. "MPD Rejects Links to 'Red Sun' Subversive Group." (FBIS-LAT-93-189 1 Oct. 1993, p. 20)