Mexico: Reports of activities on behalf of the Shining Path (1996-October 2000)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 October 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX35708.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: Reports of activities on behalf of the Shining Path (1996-October 2000), 12 October 2000, MEX35708.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be6918.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. |
Very little information on activities by or on behalf of the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL) in Mexico could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a number of news reports refer to links between the SL and the Popular Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Popular Revolucionario, EPR), an armed group operating in southern Mexico (Excelsior 18 Feb. 1999; ibid. 30 Nov. 1996; UPI 29 Nov. 1996; Comisión Episcopal de Comunicación Social 19 Feb. 1999).
In a 29 November 1996 report, UPI stated that links "between the two groups dated back to 1991." According to Excelsior, a Mexico City newspaper, the leader of the Shining Path, Abimael Guzmán, provided advice to individuals linked to the EPR in 1991, and the group subsequently benefited from the active support (apoyo activo) of a number of SL members who had fled Peru and were living in Mexico (30 Nov. 1996).
Excelsior also claimed that correspondence between the SL and the EPR seized by Peruvian security forces made reference to the creation of a coordinating committee by Latin American insurgent groups to fight against the hemisphere's "dictatorial" governments (ibid.). According to news reports published in 1996 and 1999, the Revolutionary Communist Union (Unión Comunista Revolucionaria, UCR), described in a 29 November 1996 report by UPI as a "possible precursor of the EPR", had sent correspondence to the SL referring to an agreement to create the Mexican Committee to Support the People's War in Peru (Comité Mexicano de Apoyo a la Guerra Popular en Perú), and stating that it would provide support to the Peruvian People's Movement (Movimiento Popular Perú), an organization created by SL members in Mexico (Excelsior 30 Nov. 1996.; ibid. 18 Feb. 1999; Comisión Episcopal de Comunicación Social 19 Feb. 1999).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Comisión Episcopal de Comunicación Social. 19 February 1999. "Síntesis Informativa."
Excelsior [Mexico]. 18 February 1999. "Invitó Sendero Luminoso al EPR a integrarse a un frente común."
_____. 30 November 1996. "Confirman que hay vínculos entre Sendero Luminoso y el EPR, publica un diario en Perú."
United Press International (UPI). 29 November 1996. BC Cycle. "Report Links Mexican Rebels to Peru." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases.
Mexico NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. 1996-1999.
Internet sites, including:
La Jornada [Mexico City]. 1996-2000.
Público [Mexico City]. 1998-2000.
World News Connection (WNC)