Nyorai mberi kweiyi ndima - Benavides akatanga kushanda nokuda kwekodzero dzevanhu uye rugare muma1970. Pashure pokubudirira kwechiuto muEl Salvador muna 1979 uye kutanga kweHondo yeVanhu veEl Salvador
, akava mutungamiri weEcumenical Committee for Humanitarian Aid, boka rinotsigirwa naArchbishop Óscar Romero. Romero akapondwa muna 1980. Muna 1982 Benavides akaenda kunhapwa kuMexico neUnited States, uye akaenderera mberi nekuedza kwake kubva ikoko.