A group of Marxist, guerrilla rebels in Peru. They are the smaller of the two rebel groups in the country (the other being Maoist-influenced Shining Path rebel group) They have about 1,500 members who focus on urban warfare, kidnappings and bombings.
They were named for Tupac Amaru II a Incan general from the 1700s who fought against Spain for independence.
The group was most active in the 1980s but recently they have begun to step down their terrorist actions. Many of the members are hiding in the countryside waiting for the political climate to change before making another attempt. Others have moved on to be mayors and congressmen in Peru, thus fighting the system from the inside out.