NCJ Number
63413
Date Published
1974
Length
85 pages
Annotation
THE TUPAMARO MOVEMENT IN URUGUAY FAILED DUE TO STRONG GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, LACK OF A STRONG LEADER, AND LACK OF ENOUGH POPULAR SUPPORT.
Abstract
THE TUPAMARO INSURGENCY IS EVALUATED AS AN EXAMPLE OF URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE. THE FIVE VARIABLES ARE EXPLAINED AS THEY ARE APPLIED TO THE TUPAMARO MOVEMENT WHICH HAD ITS ORIGINS AS A SUGAR WORKERS' TRADE UNION MOVEMENT. THE EVALUATION DRAWS SEVERAL CONCLUSIONS: (1) THE TUPAMARO MOVEMENT (MOVEMENT FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION, THE MLN) WAS LED BY THE BOURGEOISIE, WITH THE RANK AND FILE OF MIXED BACKGROUND, INCLUDING STUDENTS, PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, AND CIVIL SERVANTS; (2) THE TUPAMARO MOVEMENT FOUND ADVANTAGES TO OPERATING IN A CITY, INCLUDING AVAILABILITY OF TERRORIST TARGETS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, VEHICLES, AND HIDING PLACES; (3) THE TUPAMAROS HAD BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE; AND (4) EXTERNAL SUPPORT MATTERED OF LITTLE TO THE TUPAMAROS. THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE IS CHRONICLED IN TWO SECTIONS: FROM 1968 TO 1972, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNABLE TO HALT INSURGENT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, AND AFTER 1972, WHEN THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE WAS PRIMARILY MILITARY. THE GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF THE TUPAMARO MOVEMENT INCLUDED THE LACK OF POPULAR SUPPORT IN FACE OF A STRONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PRACTICE OF NOT IDENTIFYING THE MOVEMENT WITH A PARTICULAR LEADER. THE CHAPTER CONCLUDES WITH EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. (RFC)