Key Events in Peru Hostage Crisis

Dec. 17: About 15 Tupac Amaru rebels seize the Japanese ambassador’s residence during a cocktail party and take hundreds of hostages. Hours later, they release the women, including the mother and sister of President Alberto Fujimori.

Dec. 18: Rebels threaten to kill hostages, beginning with Foreign Minister Francisco Tudela, unless government releases jailed comrades. Deadline passes. Guerrillas later release ambassadors of Germany, Canada and Greece and a Peruvian diplomat.

Dec. 19: The International Red Cross is designated as intermediary between rebels and government. Three hostages released. Japanese Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda arrives in Lima to appeal for peaceful solution.

Dec. 20: Rebels free 38 hostages, including ambassadors of Brazil, South Korea and Egypt.

Dec. 22: Rebels free 225 hostages, including diplomats from Austria, Cuba, Venezuela, Panama, Spain and the United States.

Dec. 24: Uruguay’s ambassador is released after his country frees two Tupac Amaru rebels held there. Peru recalls top envoy in Montevideo in protest.

Dec. 28: Government negotiator, Education Minister Domingo Palermo, meets with rebels, who later release 20 hostages.

Jan. 1: Seven hostages are released in New Year’s Day gesture.

Jan. 15: Rebels agree to participate in talks to end the crisis on the condition that everything--including freedom for their jailed comrades--be on the table.

Feb. 1: Fujimori agrees to talks with rebels at summit in Toronto with Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

Feb. 11: Rebel leader Nestor Cerpa and government representative begin organized talks on crisis.

March 3: Fujimori makes surprise trip to Cuba; secures Fidel Castro’s offer of asylum for the rebels if needed to end standoff.

March 12: Talks break down over Cerpa’s demand that hundreds of rebels be released.

April 20: Peru’s interior minister and national police chief resign suddenly, citing security lapses that allowed rebels to seize hostages.

April 22: Peruvian forces storm the ambassador’s residence and rescue dozens of hostages.