Hostage Crisis in Lima Ends in Raid
On April 22, 1997, Peruvian commandos stormed the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, ending a four-month hostage crisis. The operation resulted in the deaths of all 14 members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) who had seized the building. One hostage and two commandos were also killed. The remaining hostages were freed.
Background of the Crisis
On December 17, 1996, 14 MRTA guerrillas infiltrated a celebration at the Japanese ambassador's residence, taking hundreds of people hostage. The captives included diplomats, government officials, and business executives from numerous countries.
The guerrillas demanded the release of imprisoned comrades and changes to the Peruvian government's economic policies.
President Alberto Fujimori refused to negotiate. Police isolated the residence, cutting off water and power, and employed psychological tactics such as playing loud music and firing gunshots into the air.
Planning and Execution of the Raid
Peruvian authorities meticulously planned the rescue. They constructed a full-scale replica of the residence for training and planted hidden microphones inside the building.
Intelligence revealed that eight guerrillas regularly played indoor football in a ground-floor room at 3:00 PM each day.
The assault was timed to exploit this routine.
- 3:23 PM, April 22: The operation began.
- Explosives were detonated to create entry points, including a hole in the very room where the guerrillas were playing football.
- Commandos stormed the building through these holes, the front door, and from tunnels dug in the backyard.
- Hostages, who had been moved upstairs by the wary guerrillas, were reached by commandos using ladders from the backyard tunnels.
- To distinguish them from the captors, hostages wore light-colored clothing provided by the government in advance.
The intense firefight and rescue lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Aftermath and Findings
President Fujimori declared the operation a major success. He later stated he had given orders that no guerrillas be taken alive.
Subsequent investigations determined that at least two of the guerrillas had been executed after being captured.
The raid was widely publicized and brought an abrupt end to the 126-day standoff, though it later sparked debate over the use of lethal force.