José Williams
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. 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. 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. During the presidential campaign, de Soto publicly announced a Shadow Cabinet, in which he included Williams as Shadow Defense Minister. Although de Soto was not elected to the presidency, Williams was elected to a seat in the Peruvian Congress. He is currently the party's parliamentary spokesperson, appointed by de Soto.
Upon assuming his congressional seat, Williams was selected on 18 August 2021 as chair of the Congressional Defense Committee.
Military career
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. 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.