Ollanta Humala

Ollanta Moisés Humala Tasso was born on June 27, 1962 in Lima, Peru, to Isaac Humala, a lawyer and former leader of the communist party, and Elena Heredia, a descendant of Italian immigrants.

He and several of his siblings including Antauro, Pachacutec, Kusi and Ima, were named after characters in the classic Quechuan drama Apu Ollantay, written in the 1700s by an unknown author.

Raised in a middle class family, he attended the Franco-Peruano school and the Colegio Copperativo La Union.

In 1982, he began training at the Colonel Francisco Chorrillos Military Academy where he trained as a paratrooper.

He conducted a workshop on jungle fighting techniques in 1983.

Promoted to the rank of captain in January 1992, he took command of a regiment in an offensive against the Communist Party of Peru guerillas, better known as the Shining Path.

He engaged in a conflict against Ecuador during the Cenepa War of 1995, a short battle over control of territory on the northwestern edge of Peru.

In 2000, Humala was given command of Artillery Group Number 501 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

In 2001, he was awarded the Peruvian Cross of Military Merit for his role in the coup against Alberto Fujimori.