Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Benavides akatanga kushanda nokuda kwekodzero dzevanhu norugare muma1970. Pashure pokubudirira kwechiuto muEl Salvador muna 1979 nokuputika kwehondo yevagari vomunyika yacho.
Muhondo yevagari vemuSalvador, akazova mutungamiri weEcumenical Committee for Humanitarian Aid, boka raitsigirwa naArchbishop Óscar Romero. Romero akapondwa muna 1980. Muna 1982 Benavides akaenda kunhapwa kuMexico neUnited States, uye akaenderera mberi nekuedza kwake kubva ikoko.