According to a report in Latin American Weekly Report, the Alfaro Vive Carajo (AVC) turned in its weapons in February 1991 (14 Jan. 1993, 23). The report claims that subsequent groups emerged which included dissident members of the AVC who refused to follow their leaders and lay down their weapons (ibid.). This dissident group of AVC members signed a pact with President Sixto Dur n-Ballén's government in January 1993, agreeing to cease their armed struggle and form a legal political organization (Voz de los Andes 11 Jan. 1993; Andean Newsletter Jan. 1993, 5; Inter Press Service 11 Jan. 1993). This AVC group is believed to number no more than 50 (Andean Newsletter Jan. 1993, 5; Notisur 19 Jan. 1993). The group's leader, Patricio Leon, stated that his faction would not join the Alfaro Vive Carajo faction, which formed a political party after surrendering its arms in February 1991 (Notisur 19 Jan. 1993).

One source states that Leon's group was not required to surrender its weapons as part of the pact (Inter Press Service 11 Jan. 1993), while two others state that the group did not surrender its weapons because "no one asked" (Inter Press Service 11 Jan. 1993; Andean Newsletter Jan. 1993, 5).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Andean Newsletter [Lima]. January 1993. No. 74. "Guerrillas Lay Down Weapons."

Inter Press Service. 11 January 1993. "Ecuador: Guerrilla Faction Renounces Armed Struggle." (NEXIS)

Latin American Weekly Report [Lima]. 14 January 1993. "Jitters Over Maoist Link With Bombing."

Notisur. 19 January 1993. "Ecuador: Guerrilla Group Abandons Armed Stuggle." (NEXIS)

Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 11 January 1993. "Alfaro Lives Faction Joins Political Life." (FBIS-LAT-93-009 14 Jan. 1993, p. 25)

Andean Newsletter [Lima]. January 1993. No. 74. "Guerrillas Lay Down Weapons," p. 5.

Inter Press Service. 11 January 1993. "Ecuador: Guerrilla Faction Renounces Armed Struggle." (NEXIS)

Latin American Weekly Report [Lima]. 14 January 1993. "Jitters Over Maoist Link With Bombing," pp. 22-23.

Notisur. 19 January 1993. "Ecuador: Guerrilla Group Abandons Armed Stuggle." (NEXIS)

Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 11 January 1993. "Alfaro Lives Faction Joins Political Life." (FBIS-LAT-93-009 14 Jan. 1993, p. 25)