This study analyzes the counterinsurgency efforts of the Peruvian government to defeat the Maoist Shining Path movement. An examination of the government response within the context of the Peruvian environment reveals the government's failure to recognize socioeconomic conditions which give Sendero its strength. The author further examines the nature of the insurgency, its leader, ideology, objectives, organization, and tactics which contribute to the movement's success. The government's military solution to a political-military problem and its subsequent failed counterinsurgency efforts validate the hypothesis that Peru is losing the war against the Sendero.

ADA 273989 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)