Two soldiers of the Peruvian Army are dead following an attack carried out by members of Sendero Luminoso in the region of Vizcatan. The second attack in just days by the guerilla group. In 2006, the traces of the group were all but lost when their feared leader, Abimael Guzman was sentenced to life in prison.

And so Sendero Luminoso has returned. Last week an ambush caused the death of 13 soldiers and 2 civilians (injuring, in addition, another 13 soldiers and 14 civilians). The attack caused citizens to relive memories of the Maoist style guerilla Guzman (reportedly tied to drug trafficking) who between 1980 and 2000 could possibly responsible for more than 70,000 deaths. The ambush was the most violent attack in the last ten years. According to various sources within the Peruvian military, no guerrillas died in yesterday’s attack. There is worry in Peru; a concrete fear to see the country relive the years of attacks between the army and guerrillas, of civilian massacres, of injustices perpetrated against the weakest..

Sendero Luminoso was never fully eradicated from all the Peruvian territory. In the area of Huncavelica, for example, where the guerrillas have always had a strong presence. Since last August, the Peruvian army has been carrying out daily attacks that result in shootouts and loss of life, especially among the civilian population. Here the finger of blame is being pointed at the army who, according to some, is guilty of indiscriminate homicide of civilians. Like in the past.

The head of the main state of Peru, General Otto Guibovich, confirmed the primary sadness of the Peruvian Armed Forces. In the past all military actions were conducted with respect of all human rights. Guibovich added however that information being released in the last few weeks regarding the murder of civilians is false and a part of the government campaign to discredit the army.

In the meantime, various announcements are coming from military meetings across the country. The first Vice President, Luis Giampietri, announced that the “Senderists are reorganized and are active in the zone where fighting is going on. The deaths are the price we have to pay to definitively defeat the terrorist remnants that operate in the area”

Sendero Luminoso has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks. In a statement released Monday from the group “Base Mantaro Rojo” (a group based in the impervious zone of Tintay Puncu in the region of Huencavelica lead by Netzel) it was announced that last week’s attack was meant to commemorate the last 80 years of foundation of the Communist Party if Peru and the possibility of ongoing and future attacks. The Objective? Always and only the Army. Furthermore, the guerrilla group maintains that the attacks are a response to the campaign the government is creating in the area. According to the Base Mantaro Rojo, in fact, the government would use aerial bombings in the area where the Base Mantaro Rojo is operating, resulting in the death of tens of civilians. The Base Mantaro Rojo denounces the disappearances the detention of numerous farm workers. Just like in old times.