LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru's defense minister says troops have captured the badly wounded leader of a remnant of the once-powerful Shining Path rebel group that lives off the cocaine trade.
Defense Minister Alberto Otarola told reporters Sunday that the rebel known as Comrade Artemio had practically lost his right arm. He provided few other details.
Otarola said President Ollanta Humala was on his way to the remote coca-growing region where Artemio was reported wounded early Thursday.
The 50-year-old Artemio commanded about 150 rebels and told journalists in December that his cause was lost and he was seeking a truce with the government.
The United States had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Shares