Nisha Rathode (Editor)

Augusta la Torre

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Succeeded by
  
Name
  
Augusta Torre


Role
  
Abimael Guzman's wife

Died
  
November 14, 1988

Augusta la Torre with a serious face while wearing a sleeveless blouse

Political party
  
Communist Party of Peru - Shining Path

Spouse
  
Abimael Guzman (m. 1964–1988)

Colocan historia de terrorista Augusta La Torre en mural de Municipalidad de Chilca


Augusta Deyanira la Torre Carrasco (c. 1946 – 1988), also known as Comrade Norah, was a Peruvian Maoist noted as the number two in command of the Shining Path guerrillas. La Torre's influence on her husband, Shining Path founder Abimael Guzmán, was credited with establishing the equality for women's participation within the revolutionary organization and during its militant actions.

Contents

Augusta La Torre with Abimael Guzmán sitting on the couch after the wedding together with their parents and witnesses

VELORIO C.NORAH (15NOV1988)


Early life and political involvement

Augusta La Torre and Abimael Guzmán talking to each other with their parents, Delia Carrasco and Carlos La Torre.

Augusta La Torre was born in Huanta in 1946 into a family with a prominent political lineage. The daughter of Communist party leader Carlos la Torre Córdova and Delia Carrasco, "she grew up in a family where political activity, party membership and protest against the Peruvian state were routine, making it unsurprising that she too entered radical politics." She joined the Peruvian Communist Party in 1962 at the age of 17. She met Abimael Guzmán, a professor of philosophy, through her parents. Guzman was a regular guest to their home in Ayacucho, meeting with la Torre's father to discuss politics. In February 1964, she married Guzman. La Torre also encouraged Guzman to establish the Popular Women's Movement in Ayacucho in 1965. She was active within the Maoist political organization, Bandera Roja (Red Flag), and helped found the Socorro Popular del Peru (Popular Succour).

Shining Path

Augusta La Torre with Abimael Guzmán on their wedding day accompanied by La Torre's parents, Delia Carrasco and Carlos La Torre.

La Torre was instrumental in helping Guzman to create the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso). She led the first offensive of the Shining Path on December 24, 1980. She went into hiding with Guzman in 1978 and died in November 1988, although the circumstances of her death remain unclear She was succeeded as number two of the Shining Path by Guzman's second wife, Elena Iparraguirre.


Augusta La Torre with Abimael Guzmán on their wedding day, accompanied by La Torre's parents, Delia Carrasco and Carlos La Torre.

Augusta la Torre smiling during her wedding day while wearing a dress

References

Augusta la Torre Wikipedia