Carlos Lamarca (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈkaʁlws lɐ̃ˈmaʁkɐ, ˈkaʁlws laˈmaʁkɐ]; October 23, 1937 – September 17, 1971) was a Brazilian Army Captain who deserted to become a member of the armed resistance to the Brazilian dictatorship. He was a part of the Popular Revolutionary Vanguard (Vanguarda Popular Revolucionária - VPR) and became, along with Carlos Marighella, one of the leaders of the armed struggle against the military dictatorship. Such groups were armed chiefly for self-protection from the Right-wing dictatorship that unleashed state terrorism against any who opposed their regime, including students, the clergy, and the children of those who called for democracy. The kidnappings by a few armed groups were conducted to free comrades suffering extremely brutal torture in Brazil's prisons.