People's Republic of Peru

The **People's Republic of Peru** is a country located in western South America. Founded by Abimael Guzmán on October 3rd, 1993, it was the first self-proclaimed Marxist-Leninist-Maoist state, which wholly adhered to the principles of Maoism and aggressively denounced all forms of revisionist Marxism. Guzmán, also widely known as Chairman Gonzalo, ruled the People's Republic from 1993 until his death in 2021, allying heavily with other Maoist nations such as the People's Republic of Alzamáya, the People's Republic of Ecuador, the People's Republic of Nepal, in addition to closely aligned with non-Maoist socialist nations such as Cuba, China, and the USSR, though critically denouncing them. With a population of over 32 million, its capital and largest city is Lima, and remains the third-largest country in Latin America by land area, as well as the 19th in the world.

## Peruvian Revolution (1980-1993)

Leading up to the Peruvian Revolution, many communist parties emerged and tried to run for election, but seemed disconnected from the indigenous peasant masses, according to Abimael Guzmán. Guzmán introduced the idea of the Protracted People's Revolution, which heavily succeeded in gaining the support of the peasants. Applying his knowledge from being a professor in philosophy, Guzmán spent years arming and serving the peasants, gaining their support. By the late 1980s, the Maoists emerged as the sole leaders of the revolution, with many from across every part of the nation joining the Maoists to overthrow the current government. It succeeded in 1993, as the Maoists surrounded major cities and claimed Lima in September 1993, announcing full victory on October 3rd and the declaration of the People's Republic, as the previous Peruvian government fled.

## Under Chairman Gonzalo (1993-2021)

Guzmán assumed office in Peru, immediately announcing plans for major land reforms and abolition of private property. These decisions caused mass capital flight, plummeting the Peruvian economy. The Communist Party of Peru faced mass opposition, especially in urban areas after numerous capitalists fled and brought their wealth to surrounding nations. Despite the unpopularity of the communists within these liberal cities, the CPP continued to operate and enact these mass reforms.

The foreign policy under Guzmán saw the denouncement of all other non-Maoist socialist nations as revisionist. Peru did not see support from the USSR or China, relying heavily upon themselves for support. Due to an economic embargo by the US, Peru sought trade and diplomatic relations with the socialist bloc but did not have any real allies. Peru saw itself rather isolated from the rest of the world, prone to numerous coup attempts by the CIA, none of which succeeded.

Peru did, however, see numerous Maoist uprisings through the next decade. Peru would gain three significant allies in 1994, with the victory of Maoists in Ecuador, the EZLN victory in Mexico which saw the establishment of the People's Republic of Alzamáya, and the Maoist insurgency and takeover of Albania, establishing the People's Republic of Albania. All four nations would align to form the International Maoist League (IML), aspiring for confidence in Maoist movements worldwide.

Guzmán would continue to lead Peru for nearly three decades. Peru saw strict economic planning, public ownership over the means of production, land redistribution, collective farms, and nationalized industry. Peru ultimately saw stagnation and economic hardship under Guzmán's leadership, alongside heavy capitalist opposition externally and internally. The IML would lose one of its key members in 2001, with the Maoist Party of Albania being overthrown in 2001. Peru would supply arms and weapons to Maoist uprisings in Colombia from the late 90s to early 00s, though the revolution would ultimately fail due to the United States's crackdown on protestors and arrest of thousands of communists. The IML would regain its fourth member in 2006, however, with the victory of Maoists in Nepal.

Abimael Guzmán would die of health complications, being replaced by Roberto de la Cruz in 2021 as the People's Republic's second president.