1. Leadership and Organizational Structure
Shining Path
Leadership and Organizational Structure

2. Abimael Guzmán Highly intellectual and well-educated Movement founder
Ultimate authority of the movement
Core ideologue and strategist
Radical leftist politics (Maoism)
Charismatic, leader-follower dynamic between him and the movement’s members

3. Structure 5 distinct levels National Central Committee (the “cupola”)
Guzmán and his top lieutenants; directors of the organization
Commanders
Assigned by region; direct political and military activity in their assigned zone
Militants
Popular Guerilla Army; highly committed individuals, carry out violent attacks
Activists
Students, workers, and underclass; educate and mobilize masses
Sympathizers
Interested in movement ideology, provide support, participate in demonstrations

4. National Central Committee
Organization
National Central Committee
SOUTHERN
- Cusco
- Tacna
- Puno
EASTERN
- Ucayali
- Huánuco
- San Martín
NORTHERN
- Ancash
- Libertad
- Lambayeque
CENTRAL
- Junín
- Pasco
PRIMARY
- Ayacucho
- Huancavelica
- Apurímac
METROPOLITAN
- Lima
- Callao

5. Strengths Weaknesses Conclusion Strong, centralized decision-making
Regional independence
Local involvement
Ideological strength
Ability to respawn leadership
Personalistic movement
Increased communication breakdown
Loss of control in rural areas
Capture and killing of key leaders
Guzmán’s capture 1992
Campesino counterefforts + backlash
Conclusion
Despite structural efficiency, member loyalty, and militancy of the movement, the movement did not recover from Guzmán’s capture and the subsequent leadership vacuum left behind; in addition, backlash from the group’s own social base and military counterefforts disrupted the already fragile organization further.