The Peruvian Civil War, primarily occurring from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, involved violent conflict between the government and various insurgent groups, most notably the Shining Path. This Maoist guerrilla group sought to overthrow the government and establish a communist state, leading to widespread violence and human rights abuses. The conflict resulted in the deaths of approximately 70,000 people, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. The Peruvian government, supported by military forces, responded with counterinsurgency tactics, which often exacerbated the violence. The war officially ended in the early 2000s, but its effects are still felt in Peruvian society today.