Narcoterrorism: Difference between revisions
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The term has become a subject of controversy, largely due to its use in the advertising campaigns of the [[Government of the United States|US Government's]] [[War on Drugs]]. |
The term has become a subject of controversy, largely due to its use in the advertising campaigns of the [[Government of the United States|US Government's]] [[War on Drugs]]. |
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One such campaign that was heavily financed by the present [[Bush administration]] is the lauded [[Plan Colombia]]. This plan seeks to eradicate the crops and crooks that are currently shipping massive amounts of drugs around the world. Specifically, the leaders of the Marxists [[FARC]] and paramilitary forces [[AUC]] are being classified as perpetrators of inhuman assualts. All these crimes are directly related to drug trafficiking. A component that follows this objective, of funding large-scale military operations, is the legislation that permits the |
One such campaign that was heavily financed by the present [[Bush administration]] is the lauded [[Plan Colombia]]. This plan seeks to eradicate the crops and crooks that are currently shipping massive amounts of drugs around the world. Specifically, the leaders of the Marxists [[FARC]] and paramilitary forces [[AUC]] are being classified as perpetrators of inhuman assualts. All these crimes are directly related to drug trafficiking. A component that follows this objective, of funding large-scale military operations, is the legislation that permits the extradition of notorious commanders i.e. [[Carlos Castano]], and Marulanda Velez among others. |
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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 [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC]], [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]], and [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia|AUC]] in Colombia, [[Hezbollah]] in Lebanon, and [[Al Qaeda]] throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. |
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 [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC]], [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]], and [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia|AUC]] in Colombia, [[Hezbollah]] in Lebanon, and [[Al Qaeda]] throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. |
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Revision as of 18:49, 3 June 2006
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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 a government or a society through violence and intimidation, and to hinder the enforcement of the law and the administration of justice by the systematic threat or use of such violence. Pablo Escobar's ruthless violence in his dealings with the Colombian government is probably one of the best known and best documented example of narcoterrorism.
The term has become a subject of controversy, largely due to its use in the advertising campaigns of the US Government's War on Drugs.
One such campaign that was heavily financed by the present Bush administration is the lauded Plan Colombia. This plan seeks to eradicate the crops and crooks that are currently shipping massive amounts of drugs around the world. Specifically, the leaders of the Marxists FARC and paramilitary forces AUC are being classified as perpetrators of inhuman assualts. All these crimes are directly related to drug trafficiking. A component that follows this objective, of funding large-scale military operations, is the legislation that permits the extradition of notorious commanders i.e. Carlos Castano, and Marulanda Velez among others.
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.
After being questioned by human right activist, Ramon Cienfuegos, colonel of the 2nd brigade of revolutionary forces in South America, responded by saying: "When defined by the government, narcoterrorism becomes a discordant concept incited with prejudicial objectives; the support provided by the people must be founded within the confines of the issue. Narcoterrorism is transformed into a passionate concept that justifies military action, of which the people that have no involvement with either politics or narcotics become the casualties. Action, regardless of its legitimacy, finds its reasoning in a misinterpreted statement: without narcoterrorism the accumulation of weaponry from the state will seem conspicuously unnecessary. Ascribe the term to a group that has grasped the utility that drugs present to better the conditions of life and at once you are a violator of authority". [citation needed]
Note: Although Al Qaeda is often said to finance its activities through drug trafficking, the 9/11 Commission Report notes that "While the drug trade was a source of income for the Taliban, it did not serve the same purpose for al Qaeda, and there is no reliable evidence that bin Laden was involved in or made his money through drug trafficking." The organization gains most of its finances through donations, particularly those by "wealthy Saudi individuals".