Chairperson Gonzalo's speech upon arrest September 24, 1992
[This is the official version of the speech as it came out immediately in 1992 and as according to the PCP-generated organizations abroad. Since that time, numerous groups and individuals with varying agendas have altered the document for distribution--ed. Maoist Sojourner.]
"The People's War Will Be Victorious, 'You Shall See It!'" Speech from Headquarters of the Anti-terrorist Police of Peru, September 24, 1992
Comrades of the Communist Party of Peru, fighters of the People's Guerilla Army, Peruvian people: we are living through historic events; each one of us knows this to be the case. Let us not deceive ourselves. At this particular moment we must ready all our forces in order to continue accomplishing our tasks. Let us win new victories including the final one, too!
We are fighting in these trenches because we are communists! We fight, too, because we defend the people's interests, the principles of the Party and the ideals of the People's War! That is what we do, what we are doing and what we will continue to do! We are here in circumstances which some think to be a great defeat. They are dreaming. Today we say to them this is barely a bend in the road. Nothing else! A bend along the road. And though the road is long we shall traverse it completely. We shall arrive at our goal and we shall win! You shall see it!
We must continue with the tasks laid down in the Third Plenary Session of the Central Committee, a glorious event! This Third Plenary Session has already started and it will continue. We shall continue to carry out the plans of the People's War for the seizure of power. We will continue the development of the Sixth Military Plan. That is our task! We shall carry it out, together with the proletariat and the people!
Today the democratic road has begun to unfold as the road of people's liberation! These are the circumstances in which we are developing our actions. Where are we now along this road? At a strategic equilibrium!
It is useless to continue to deny this evidence. Let us look at the history of Peru. Specifically let us examine the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and understand their lessons! If you do not understand this you will remain blind. There was first Spanish domination, and this Spanish domination, where did it lead us? To an extremely deep crisis! As a consequence, Peru became a house divided. It is here where you can identify the source of the state's current policies.
Then, in the last century, what? British domination. Where did that lead us? To another great crisis and its consequence, the war with Chile. Let us not forget this! What was the result? Peru lost territories!
In the 20th Century how are we faring? There is an imperialism dominating us, US imperialism. This is something real and every one knows it! Where has this led us? Here and now, to the worst crisis in our entire history, a crisis the like of which has never been endured by our people.
These past 12 years of struggle have served to demonstrate and show clearly to the people that the Peruvian state and the Peruvian army are evidently rotten to the core. That they are paper tigers!
What should we do? We must give impetus to the people's liberation movement and develop the people's war. The time to set up a National Liberation Front has arrived. It is time to form and develop a Popular Front of Liberation with the People's Guerilla Army as its core. That is what we will do; that is what we are already doing; that is what we are going to be doing!
Maoism is marching relentlessly forward in its task of forging the new wave of the world proletarian revolution. This must be well understood and everyone must become well aware of it! Those who have ears must use them well, those who have understanding--we all have it--use it well, too! Let us do away with this cant!
The same opposing forces behind the First and the Second World Wars are now preparing the Third. This is something that must be made known! We can't allow this to happen! Enough is enough!
100 Years of Chairperson Mao
Next year it will be one hundred years since the birth of Chairperson Mao. We must celebrate it! We want an unforgetable celebration! We shall start celebrating this year and we shall culminate this celebration the next year.
I want to take the opportunity to salute the international proletariat, the great oppressed majorities. To all the communists of Peru: The People's War will inevitably be victorious!
We must have faith in the future birth of the People's Republic of Peru.
Glory to Marxism-Leninism-Maoism! Honour and Glory to the People of Peru!