Agustín Mantilla

Máximo Agustín Mantilla Campos (December 10, 1944 – November 20, 2015) was a Peruvian economist, sociologist and politician. Considered by analysts as one of the most powerful political figures in Alan García's first administration, he served as Deputy Minister and subsequently as Minister of the Interior during the most tense years of the Peruvian internal conflict between the Peruvian government and the terrorist organizations, the Shining Path and the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.

Accused of leading a paramilitary death squad organization in the late 1980s, he denied the existence and his involvement in the organization throughout his career until 2013, where he admitted to the execution of suspected terrorists. He was sentenced to six years in prison based on charges of corruption as he was caught on videotape receiving bribes in one of Vladimiro Montesinos secret video recordings at the National Intelligence Service headquarters, in exchange for the Peruvian Aprista Party's support of President Alberto Fujimori's administration in 2000.

Early life and education
Mantilla was born in Lima on December 10, 1944. Upon finishing high school, he joined the Peruvian Aprista Party in October 1965, and from early on he was strongly linked with the party base of the Pueblo Libre District. He was admitted to the National University of San Marcos in 1965, where he graduated with a degree in economics. Afterwards, he enrolled in the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University, where he studied Sociology.

Career
In 1970, he worked at the Fishing Consortium, in the fishmeal business; then in the fishmeal and fish oil trading company EPCHAP, and in Pescaperú.

Early political career
Upon finishing high school, he enrolled in the Peruvian Aprista Party in October 1965, and from early on he was strongly linked with the party base of the Pueblo Libre District. Following his experience in the fishing sector, he was introduced to the inner circle of the Peruvian Aprista Party. Upon meeting Alan García in 1977, he served as his Private Secretary from 1979 to 1985.

From 1981 to 1983, he was a member of the District Council of Pueblo Libre. Between 1985 and 1989, he held the position of Deputy Minister of the Interior. He was briefly appointed Minister of the Presidency from March to May 1989, and as Interior Minister from May 1989 to July 1990.

During his tenure as Minister of the Interior, he was accused of leading the supposed paramilitary command "Rodrigo Franco", with the task of eliminating suspected terrorists. The organization has been classified as a government death squad authorized by Alan García's first administration, although no proof was found in the following investigations against Mantilla and the supposed Peruvian Army officials that were indicted members of the squad.

Congressman
In 1992, upon Alan García's request for political asylum granted by the Colombian government, Mantilla was chosen as his successor as Secretary General of the party, on December 1992. In his position as the highest ranking party leader at the 1995 Peruvian general election, Mantilla was elected to the newly unicameral Peruvian Congress alongside 7 other representatives of his party. He was succeeded in the Secretariat by former Second Vice President and 1990 presidential nominee, Luis Alva Castro. In the 2000 general election, Mantilla lost his seat as he attained a low number of votes.

Trial, corruption charges and conviction
Following his congressional tenure and the 2000 general election, it was revealed to the media that Mantilla received $30,000 USD from presidential advisor and Intelligence Chief Vladimiro Montesinos on March 13, 2000, destined for party funds in exchange for political support of Alberto Fujimori's regime. In 2002, the Supreme Court sentenced Mantilla to six years in prison for corruption charges in detriment of the Peruvian Government. Subsequently, he was expelled from the Peruvian Aprista Party.

Upon his release from prison in 2006, Mantilla kept a low profile in the years to come. Cited by investigative committees relating to the paramilitary command he was accused of leading, he kept denying his involvement and the existence of such organization until 2013, when he admitted the existence of the organization, but without the government's knowledge or consent.

Death
Mantilla died on November 20, 2015, at his home in Pueblo Libre, due to diabetes at the age of 70.