|This article is part of the|
|Definition of terrorism>Definition & Conventions|
|Counter-terrorism>Counterterrorism & |
"War on Terror" and its criticisms
|Lists: List of terrorist groups>Groups,
State sponsors, |
|Types: Nationalist terrorism>Nationalist, Religious, |
State, Islamic, Ethnic,
|Tactics: Aircraft hijacking>Hijacking, |
|Configurations: Terrorist front organization>Fronts,|
|Other: Terrorism insurance|
|Edit this template|
Narcoterrorism is a term coined by former President Belaunde Terry of Peru in 1983 when describing terrorist-type attacks against his nation's anti-narcotics police. In the original context, narcoterrorism is understood to mean the attempts of narcotics traffickers to influence the policies of government by the systematic threat or use of violence. Pablo Escobar's ruthless dealings with the Colombian government is probably the best known and best documented example of narcoterrorism.
The term is being increasingly used for known terrorist organizations that engage in drug trafficking activity to fund their operations and gain recruits and expertise. Such organizations include FARC, ELN, and AUC in Colombia, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Al Qaeda throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia.