Speculation--Peru in 1981

[Mgellis]

In 1980, leftist guerillas began a long and bloody campaign in Peru.

 

As a scenario possibility...what if the Soviet Union had been pro-active in their support of the guerilllas, sending supplies, "military advsiors," etc., starting around 1981?

 

First, how would they have done this?

 

A full-scale invasion seems extremely unlikely.

 

A blockade of Peruvian ports also seems unlikely, but the Soviets could probably have done this--a large visible task force and a squadron or two of submarines. Any thoughts on how plausible this is?

 

The most likely to me seems a moderate form of support--effectively a task force that included supply ships, some way to move supplies in and out, and escorts. A couple of amphibious vessels and/or cargo ships with helicopters, a few escorts, a command vessel able to handle communications, etc., and a few submarines. How plausible is this? Any suggestions for vessels or submarines that are likely to have been part of this task force?

 

A related question...the Soviets had a large number of smaller patrol craft (Grisha, etc.). These were, as I understand it, mostly used as patrol and coastal ASW vessels. Would the Soviets have deployed some of these as a force multiplier in this kind of mission, along with larger ("true warship") escorts?

 

Assuming the Soviet Union employed this kind of task force, and was believed to be assisting the leftist rebels, what would happen? Would Peru take action? What would they do...assuming things like going to the UN had already failed. Would the United States help Peru?

 

I can envision Peruvian and American forces on station, waiting for a carrier battle group to show up, but then, before the carrier and American airpower can arrive, something sparks a battle between them and the Soviet task force...

 

Thoughts? Observations? Suggestions?

 

Mark