José Williams

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Williams and the second or maternal family name is Zapata.
José Williams
Chair of the Congressional Defense Committee
Assumed office
18 August 2021
DeputyJeny Luz
Preceded byDaniel Urresti
Member of Congress
Assumed office
26 July 2021
ConstituencyLima
Chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru
In office
5 December 2005 – 4 December 2006
Preceded byFrank Boyle Alvarado
Succeeded by
Personal details
Born (1951-11-09) 9 November 1951 (age 70)
Lima, Peru
Nationality Peruvian
Political partyGo on Country - Social Integration Party (2020-present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (before 2020)
Alma materChorrillos Military School (BS)
Center for Higher National Studies (MA)
Military service
Allegiance Peru
Branch/service Peruvian Army
Years of service1971–2006
RankMajor general
Battles/warsInternal conflict in Peru
Cenepa War
Operation Chavín de Huántar

José Daniel Williams Zapata (born 9 November 1951) is a retired Peruvian Army general who led Operation Chavín de Huántar, considered one of the most successful rescue operations in history.[1][2]

Serving as Chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru from 2005 to 2006, Williams currently represents the constituency of Lima in the Peruvian Congress as a member of Go on Country - Social Integration Party.[3]

Military career[]

Williams was born in Lima on November 9, 1951. He enrolled in the Peruvian Army through the Chorrillos Military School.

Attaining the rank of major-general, Williams was appointed Chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru, serving in the position from 2005 to 2006. He retired from the Army in December 2006.

From 2009 and 2011, Williams served as was Academic Director of the Center for Higher National Studies (CAEN), from which he obtained a master's degree in defense studies. He also serves as professor at the San Ignacio de Loyola University since 2018, and is a Lecturer at the Higher School of War since 2020.

Chavín de Huántar Operation[]

Williams led the Operation Chavín de Huántar in April 1997. He was hailed a national hero for the rescue of the remaining 72 captive hostages of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, effectively ending the Japanese embassy hostage crisis. This mission was a success and is considered one of the most successful rescue operations in history.[4][5][6]

Political career[]

In 2020, Williams was announced as part of Go on Country - Social Integration Party's congressional list for the 2021 general election. In addition, he participated in Hernando de Soto's presidential campaign as the technical team's defense and security advisor.[7]

During the presidential campaign, de Soto publicly announced a Shadow Cabinet, in which he included Williams as Shadow Defense Minister.[8]

Although de Soto was not elected to the presidency, Williams was elected to a seat in the Peruvian Congress.[9] He is currently the party's parliamentary spokesperson, appointed by de Soto.[10]

Upon assuming his congressional seat, Williams was selected on 18 August 2021 as chair of the Congressional Defense Committee.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ "Chavín de Huántar y otros impresionantes rescates en el mundo". La Nación (in Spanish). April 22, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "De Entebbe a Lima, otros rescates históricos". El Comercio (in Spanish). July 4, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "Resultados de elecciones congresales". La República (in Spanish). May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. ^ "Chavín de Huántar y otros impresionantes rescates en el mundo". La Nación (in Spanish). April 22, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "De Entebbe a Lima, otros rescates históricos". El Comercio (in Spanish). July 4, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  6. ^ "General (r) Zapata: "Chavín de Huántar fue un mensaje al terrorismo, a la región y al mundo"". RPP (in Spanish). April 21, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "José Williams Zapata: "Proponemos mejorar la asesoría legal a los militares" ENTREVISTA". El Comercio (in Spanish). February 6, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Hernando de Soto presentó a los miembros «del gabinete de oposición»: ¿Quiénes son?". Caretas (in Spanish). February 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "Resultados de elecciones congresales". La República (in Spanish). May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hernando de Soto: José Williams será su interlocutor y vocero de la bancada de Avanza País". El Comercio (in Spanish). April 22, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Congresista José Williams presidirá la Comisión de Defensa Nacional". Centro de Noticias del Congreso (in Spanish). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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