Peru honors over 1,200 police officers as democracy defenders
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
The Peruvian Ministry of the Interior (Mininter) recognized 1,238 police officers as Defenders of Democracy for their service against terrorism and their contributions to restoring peace and the democratic system in Peru.
The Mininter reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the memory of officers who confronted terrorism. The agency’s Police Ombudsman reviewed and evaluated the records of current and retired officers who served during the fight against terrorism, helping to secure official state recognition of their work.
Among those honored was Benedicto Jiménez Bacca, a former General of the National Police, who received the Medal of the Defender of Democracy for leading the Special Intelligence Group (GEIN). The GEIN’s work led to the capture of Abimael Guzmán, the leader of the Shining Path terrorist group, on September 12, 1992, a turning point in the fight against the insurgency.
To commemorate the 34th anniversary of Guzmán’s capture, the director general of the Police Ombudsman, Máximo Gustavo Ramírez de la Cruz, attended a ceremony honoring those who fought terrorism and its victims. The event brought together widows, relatives of victims, authorities, police representatives, and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of the conflict and recognizing those who defended democracy.
Through the Police Ombudsman’s involvement in the evaluation committee, the Mininter ensures the state continues to acknowledge the service of officers who defended democracy and that their stories become part of the national memory.
