Unit Name: | Chavín de Huántar Command |
Native Name: | Comando Chavín de Huántar |
Country: | Peru |
Branch: | Peruvian Armed Forces |
Type: | Special forces |
Role: | Counterterrorism |
Size: | 148 men |
Garrison: | Chorrillos Military School |
Patron: | Inca Pachacútec |
Motto: | We did it for Peru |
Anniversaries: | 22 April |
Battles: | Peruvian conflict |
Decorations: | See list |
Notable Commanders: | José Williams |
The Special Counterterrorist Company "Chavín de Huántar" No. 61, commonly known as Chavín de Huántar Command (Spanish; Castilian: link=no|Comando Chavín de Huántar), is the elite unit of Peru's special forces. It is made up of members of the Peruvian Army and Navy. They became known internationally after successfully rescuing the 72 hostages captured by the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement during the Japanese embassy hostage crisis, on April 22, 1997, which has been described as one of the most successful military rescue operations in history.[1] [2] [3] For their work, they have been legislatively declared “Heroes of Democracy.”[4]