The capture of Abimael Guzmán, the notorious leader of the Shining Path, occurred during a well-coordinated operation by Peruvian special forces, known as the Grupo Especial de Operaciones (GEO). This force targeted Guzmán’s hideout in Lima, marking a significant victory in the long struggle against the Shining Path, a Maoist guerrilla group that had been responsible for extensive violence in Peru since the early 1980s. The Peruvian government had been under pressure from both domestic and international communities to restore order, and this operation aimed to dismantle the leadership structure that had fueled the group's violent insurgency.Guzmán’s capture was made possible by intelligence gathering and surveillance that tracked his activities. He was found living under a false identity, and his arrest was the result of a strategic plan that utilized the element of surprise. Following Guzmán's apprehension, the Shining Path’s organizational structure quickly faltered. Many key leaders were arrested over the ensuing months, further destabilizing the group. This dismantling of the leadership was crucial in reducing the momentum the Shining Path had maintained for over a decade. The aftermath of Guzmán’s capture shifted the balance of power in Peru and allowed the government to regain control of regions that had been plagued by violence. The Shining Path's operational capacity was severely hindered, leading to a significant reduction in terrorist activities. This event not only dramatically changed the landscape of Peruvian politics but also altered the strategies employed by both the government and insurgent groups in the ensuing years.