During the national congress of the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) held in Peru, ideological rifts became apparent within the party. A faction of leftist radicals, discontented with the party's direction under the leadership of Victor Raúl Haya de la Torre, voiced their dissatisfaction regarding the perceived moderation of the party's policies. These internal conflicts culminated in the expulsion of this radical group from the party. This faction, which believed in a more revolutionary approach to socialism, subsequently organized themselves under a new banner called APRA Rebelde, or APRA Rebellious.

The formation of APRA Rebelde signified a crucial moment in the political landscape of Peru in the late 1950s. The new group sought to continue the legacy of APRA while pushing for a more aggressive stance towards promoting leftist ideologies and policies. They aimed at mobilizing support among workers and peasants while advocating for extensive land reforms and social justice measures that were increasingly seen as necessary to combat poverty and inequality in the country. The split represented not only a divergence within APRA but also reflected broader trends of fragmentation among leftist movements across Latin America during this period.

APRA Rebelde was part of a wave of radical leftist movements emerging in many South American countries at the time. By rejecting the moderate path of the parent APRA party, this new organization appealed to more revolutionary sentiments within the Peruvian populace, especially among the youth and disenfranchised communities. Their emergence also highlighted the ideological battles within the left, as moderates and radicals vied for the future direction of leftist politics in Peru. Ultimately, this event played a significant role in shaping the political discourse of the era, leading to further polarization in the political landscape of Peru.