LIMA, April 23 (NNN-ANDINA) – Peru marks the 22nd anniversary of the Chavin de Huantar military operation that rescued 72 hostages held captive at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Lima.
As is known, the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) terrorists held the guests hostage for 126 days.
A total of 71 hostages remained alive in that action.
Chaired by President Martin Vizcarra, the ceremony saw the presence of political, military, and ecclesiastical authorities, former hostages, relatives of the victims, and the commandos who took part in the operation, considered one of the most successful hostage rescues in the world.
The event took place at the replica of Japanese Ambassador’s residence located at Las Palmas Ave. in Lima district of Chorrillos.
Chavin de Huantar operation
- On 17 December 1996, heavily armed terrorists —led by Nestor Cerpa Cartolini— entered the Japanese Ambassador’s residence and took hostage around 600 guests attending a party in celebration of Emperor Akihito’s birthday.
- More than four months after the beginning of the siege, on 22 April 1997, a team of 140 Peruvian commandos —assembled into a secret ad-hoc unit given the name Chavin de Huantar— mounted a raid on the place.
- The first explosion occurred at 3:23 PM. This heralded the start of military operations at the Japanese diplomat’s house.
- At the end, all the 14 MRTA terrorists, one hostage (then-Supreme Court Justice Carlos Giusti), and two commandos (Juan Valer and Raul Jimenez) died during the assault.
