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In the rugged central jungle of Peru, members of the notorious Shining Path guerrilla group are still operating, despite attempts by authorities to “exterminate” them, the Defense Minister said Thursday.
Defense Minister Jakke Valakivi said while the structure of the rebel group is considerably weaker than it was in its heyday during the 1980s, militants in the group are still active, despite military operations against them.
According to figures provided by his Deputy Minister Ivan Vega, the rebels are still “enslaving” between 170 and 200 people, of which around 70 to 80 are children. Last week the army rescued 39 people from a farm, he added.
RELATED: 39 People Rescued from Camp Run by Shining Path
Once known as the Communist Party of Peru, the Shining Path guerrilla unleashed an internal conflict in Peru between 1980-2000. It is estimated that at least 70,000 people were killed during the fighting between the rebels and government forces.
The armed group has been internationally condemned for its brutality against peasants and indigenous people. It is classified as a terrorist organization by the Peruvian government, the U.S. and the European Union.
According to authorities, Shining Path militants reach isolated communities in order to hide there from the soldiers, and they move from one area to another by using children as human shields.
In 2012, the army captured Florindo Eleuterio Flores Hala, known as Comrade Artemio, who allegedly was the last head of the organization.
However, the group had a resurgence and now they believe to be hidden in the jungle near the Apurimac River, which is the largest coca growing basin in the world.
Peru has become the biggest cocaine producer and exporter in the world and the Shining Path has been accused of being linked with drug-traffickers from the region, while forcing farmers to make their living selling coca leaves.
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