Augusta la Torre
Encyclopedia
Augusta la Torre Carrasco (ca. 1946–1989), also known as Comrade Norah, was a Peru
vian Maoist revolutionary noted as number two in command of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) guerrillas. La Torre's influence on her husband, Sendero Luminoso founder Abimael Guzmán
, was credited with establishing the equality for women's participation within the revolutionary organization and during its militant actions.
in 1946 into a family with a prominent political lineage. The daughter of Communist party leader Carlos la Torre Córdova and Delia Carrasco, "she grew up in a family where political activity, party membership and protest against the Peruvian state were routine, making it unsurprising that she too entered radical politics." She joined the Peruvian Communist Party
in 1962 at the age of 17. She met Abimael Guzmán, a professor of philosophy, through her parents. Guzman was a regular guest to their home in Ayacucho
, meeting with la Torre's father to discuss politics. In February 1964, she married Guzman. La Torre also encouraged Guzman to establish the Popular Women's Movement in Ayacucho in 1965. She was active within the Maoist political organization, Bandera Roja (Red Flag) and helped found the Socorro Popular del Peru (Popular Succour).
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vian Maoist revolutionary noted as number two in command of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) guerrillas. La Torre's influence on her husband, Sendero Luminoso founder Abimael Guzmán
Abimael Guzmán
Manuel Rubén Abimael Guzmán Reynoso , also known by the nom de guerre Presidente Gonzalo , a former professor of philosophy, was the leader of the Shining Path during the Maoist insurgency known as the internal conflict in Peru...
, was credited with establishing the equality for women's participation within the revolutionary organization and during its militant actions.
Early life and Political Involvement
Augusta La Torre was born in HuantaHuanta
Huanta is a town in Central Peru, capital of the province Huanta in the region Ayacucho....
in 1946 into a family with a prominent political lineage. The daughter of Communist party leader Carlos la Torre Córdova and Delia Carrasco, "she grew up in a family where political activity, party membership and protest against the Peruvian state were routine, making it unsurprising that she too entered radical politics." She joined the Peruvian Communist Party
Peruvian Communist Party
The Peruvian Communist Party is a communist party in Peru. It was founded in 1928 by José Carlos Mariátegui, under the name Partido Socialista del Perú . In 1930 the name was changed to PCP...
in 1962 at the age of 17. She met Abimael Guzmán, a professor of philosophy, through her parents. Guzman was a regular guest to their home in Ayacucho
Ayacucho
Ayacucho is the capital city of Huamanga Province, Ayacucho Region, Peru.Ayacucho is famous for its 33 churches, which represent one for each year of Jesus's life. Ayacucho has large religious celebrations, especially during the Holy Week of Easter...
, meeting with la Torre's father to discuss politics. In February 1964, she married Guzman. La Torre also encouraged Guzman to establish the Popular Women's Movement in Ayacucho in 1965. She was active within the Maoist political organization, Bandera Roja (Red Flag) and helped found the Socorro Popular del Peru (Popular Succour).
Sendero Luminoso
La Torre was instrumental in helping Guzman to create the Sendero Luminoso.. She led the first offensive of the Shining Path on December 24, 1980. She went into hiding with Guzman in 1978 and died in 1989, although the circumstances of her death remain unclear She was succeeded as number two of the Sendero Luminoso by Guzman's second wife, Elena Albertina Iparraguirre Revoredo.External links
- Peru: Information on Augusta La Torre, wife of Abimael Guzm n, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, PER12684, 1 January 1993, at UNHCR Refworld online.
- Video of Augusta la Torre's funeral, posted Feb. 09, 2009 on Youtube.