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So Kurtz has a heart after all. When he was in hiding in the 1980s in Peru, Dr Abimael Guzman, leader of the Maoist guerrillas of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path), came over as a blend of Conrad's elusive character from Heart of Darkness and Marlon Brando from Apocalypse Now.
But it was hard to swallow
the austere myth of the revolutionary philosopher who bought mineral water on his honeymoon and disliked the music of Porgy & Bess. It's why I fictionalised him with a weakness for Frank Sinatra songs, especially "I'll be looking at the moon (but I'll be seeing you)".
That impulse proved prophetic when he was discovered in a videotape dancing to Zorba the Greek with Elena Iparraguirre, who had abandoned her husband and children to become his second-in-command and mistress. The film showed Guzman (right) stomping on |
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| The film showed Guzman stomping on a floor strewn with flower petals, applauded by followers with moon-eyed faces |
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a floor strewn with flower petals, and applauded by followers with moon-eyed faces as if gazing at a political baghwan. He appeared to be insensible with drink.
Quite what his relationship was to the beautiful dancer, Maritza Garrido Lecca, who shielded him above her Lima ballet studio until his capture in 1992, we still don't know. But Friday's news of his engagement to his fellow-lifer Iparraguirre suggests a romantic susceptibililty to match his politics.
I remember how after his capture, President Fujimori planned to have him secretly executed. Guzman was asked if he had any last requests. He rubbed his psoriatic hands. "Yes," and the officer waited, thinking maybe he would ask for the complete works of Marx.
But Guzman wanted a visit from Iparraguirre. He looked up, still rubbing his hands. "The sexual factor, you understand."
As a married prisoner, the 72-year-old will be allowed six conjugal visits a year. 
Nicholas Shakespeare is the author of two novels based on Guzman: The Vision of Elena Silves and The Dancer Upstairs, both published by Vintage.
FIRST POSTED MAY 7, 2007
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