Tupamaros

The Tupamaros, formally known as the Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T), were a Uruguayan urban guerrilla group active primarily in the 1960s and early 1970s. Inspired by Che Guevara's foco theory and other revolutionary movements in Latin America, the MLN-T sought to overthrow the Uruguayan government, which they viewed as corrupt and serving the interests of foreign powers.

Their name derives from Túpac Amaru II, an 18th-century leader of an indigenous rebellion against Spanish rule in Peru. The Tupamaros employed a variety of tactics, including bank robberies, kidnappings (of prominent figures for ransom or political leverage), propaganda campaigns, and attacks on government institutions. They aimed to redistribute wealth, expose government corruption, and ultimately establish a socialist state.

The Tupamaros gained significant popular support, particularly among students and the working class, initially due to their Robin Hood-like image and their critiques of social inequality. However, their tactics also alienated some segments of the population.

The Uruguayan government responded to the Tupamaros with increasing repression. By the early 1970s, the military had taken a leading role in combating the insurgency. Key Tupamaro leaders, including Raúl Sendic, were captured, and the movement was largely dismantled by 1972.

Following the 1973 coup d'état, Uruguay experienced a period of military dictatorship. Many former Tupamaros were imprisoned, tortured, or exiled. With the return of democracy in 1985, many Tupamaros were released from prison under an amnesty law.

The MLN-T eventually transformed into a legal political party, participating in democratic elections and becoming part of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) coalition, which held power in Uruguay from 2005 to 2020. Former Tupamaros, including José Mujica, have held prominent positions in Uruguayan politics. The legacy of the Tupamaros remains a complex and controversial topic in Uruguayan history.