An Ember of the Shining Path: A Content and Text Analysis of the Peru People's Movement's "Sol Rojo" Magazine

Abstract

Far-left terrorism rocked Latin America during the 1980s and 1990s, making that region the epicenter of global terrorism for fourteen years. Now, nearly three decades after the Shining Path collapsed under the Peruvian Government’s counter-insurgency efforts, remnants of the group continue to operate. While the brutality and carnage for which the Shining Path is known have subsided, factions disseminate propaganda calling for the “People’s War” and revolution. One such faction, the Peruvian People’s Movement, has published the magazine Sol Rojo [Red Sun] at a rate of about two editions since around 1994. This study examines content from the 30 of 49 editions available online through the application of text analysis software. Analysis of this nearly 700,000-word corpus reveals important themes that changed over time based on domestic challenges, geopolitical events, and other factors. Psychometric properties of these texts reflect distinct tones, emotions, and topical groups that evolved over time. Sol Rojo is a remnant of Shining Path and the Maoist ideologies the group spread throughout rural Andean regions decades ago. The magazine’s writers seek influence and relevance in a world where their calls for “People’s War” seem more elusive with the passage of time as their generation of ex-Senderistas fades and a new generation of revolutionaries fails to materialize.