Introduction
Terrorism is a significant threat to domestic and global security. The is no universal definition for terrorism as different actors define the term according to varying considerations. The latest publication of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2022 adopts the terminology defined by Terrorism Tracker (Rise to Peace, 2022). The GTI report indicates that terrorism is “the systematic threat or use of violence, by non-state actors, whether for or in opposition to established authority, with the intention of communicating a political, religious or ideological message to a group larger than the victim group, by generating fear and so altering (or attempting to alter) the behavior of the larger group.” The GTI report indicates that the definition has not captured all forms of terrorism. Therefore, the meaning can be expanded to include profit-oriented criminal violence, acts of warfare (either irregular or conventional, civil unrest, violent anti-social actions, and other remote acts of violence by unstable people, such as shooting incidents.
Explosives and firearm assaults are the most common weapons used in terror attacks across all regions. Other tools used include fire bombs, combustive devices, knives, and vehicles, among others. The focus of this paper is on terrorism in South America as a result of rising concerns from the United States and other countries. Terrorist groups mainly focus on influencing or overthrowing elected governments (Clifford, 2017). South America has traditionally not been associated with major terrorist activities. However, individual nations struggle with domestic terrorism, and international terrorist groups pose an additional danger by using the region to advance their causes.
Trends in Terrorism in South America
South America is not characterized by major terrorist activities, especially in recent times. The GTI report states that the region recorded a fall in deaths due to terrorism by at least ten percent in 2022. In general, terrorism-related deaths decreased by 41 percent, from 157 to 92 between 2020 and 2021 (Rise to Peace, 2022). The GTI report states that even as five countries in South America improved their GTI score, four nations reported a worse outcome, while two countries had no change. However, the region is not free from challenges associated with terrorism. Even as some countries recorded a decline in terrorist behavior, other countries are in a worse state that threatens their national security.
The GTI developed a composite score that provides an ordinal scale of countries based on the consequences of terrorism. Each country is ranked on a scale of 0 to 10; the best score of 0 symbolizes no effect of terrorism, while the worst score of 10 depicts the highest impact of terrorism that can be measured. The scores show that the overall level of terrorism in South America went up by 0.275 from 2011 to 2021, with Chile, Ecuador, and Venezuela showing an increase in levels of terrorism in a decade (Rise to Peace, 2022). In terms of global rankings, Colombia (14th), Chile (18th), and Peru (37th) had among the highest impacts, while Bolivia and Guyana were both ranked at position 93 (Rise to Peace, 2022). The rankings show that South America is not among the worst areas hit by terrorist activities.
Terrorist Groups in South America
There are numerous terrorist groups in South America, most of which operate across different countries. The worst terrorism in the region involves the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The two groups that are domiciled in Colombia account for the most terrorist attacks in the region. The FARC is a leftist guerrilla group that is majorly implicated in drug production and trafficking. The terror group was founded in the mid-1960s, while the ELN, a Marxist-Leninist group, was established in 1965. The GTI states that the ELM conducted 35 attacks in 2021, killing 28 people (Rise to Peace, 2022). The FARC and ELM also carry out terrorist operations in Cuba and Venezuela. The Muslim Brotherhood is active in many countries in South America, especially Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. The Shining Path is a lethal Maoist rebellion terrorist group that has operated in Peru for over four decades. The GTI report indicates that it was responsible for one terror attack in 2021, which killed 16 people (Rise to Peace, 2022). The Mapuche extremists conduct everyday terrorist activities in Chile.
Apart from the local groups, external players have been involved mainly in propagating terrorist actions in South America. In particular, Iran has been identified as a significant actor in terrorist acts in the region. Jorge (2022) states that the country has shown its desire to expand its influence and scope of action across South America from the northern part of Bolivarian Venezuela to the southern part of Argentina, Brazil in the east, and Chile in the west. Iran has mainly been involved through terrorist groupings, such as ubi Iran, ibi Hezbollah. The Lebanese Party of God organization was involved in the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires (1992) and the AMIA bombing (1994). It has played a crucial part in spreading propaganda, financing, and breeding smuggling activities.
Another Iranian pro-Iranian organization, Al-Tajammu, has spread Iranian influence in South America. According to Jorge (2022), Al-Tajammu, based in Lebanon, is linked to Shiite militias, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Foreign terrorist organizations exert their influence predominantly through the Internet using websites and social media platforms where they share radical revolutionary messages and discussions calling attention to anti-imperialism.
However, the governments in South America have attempted to reduce terrorist actions through various means. The Colombian government has been engaged in protracted standing negotiations with the FARC for a peace agreement. Clifford (2017) states that the government and FARC reached a settlement in late 2016. The Colombian government has adopted supplementary counterterrorism measures, such as boosting the security footprint in major cities, especially Cali. Rise to Peace (2022) states that the newly elected President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, has shown a desire to enhance counterterrorism actions in southern Chile. The Peruvian president has played a significant role in encouraging the region to give priority to the struggle against terrorism in South America.
Conclusion
There are many terrorist activities that make up terrorism ranging from individual actions to operations of organized groups. The activities are propagated through various means, especially using firearms and explosives. South America is not characterized by major terroristic activities, with terrorism being rampant in Columbia, Chile, and Peru. In addition, major terrorist groups account for the majority of attacks and killings, including FARC, ELM, Mapuche, Shining Path, and the Muslim Brotherhood. The region has generally implemented various counterterrorism measures, including peace agreements and enhanced security efforts.
References
Clifford, G. M. (2017). Just counterterrorism. Critical Studies on Terrorism, 10(1), 67–92. Web.
Jorge, P. E. (2022). Propaganda, narratives and influence in Latin America: Iran, Hezbollah and Al-Tajammu. ICT. Web.
Rise to Peace, (2022). The global terrorism index: Results and implications in Latin America. Rise to Peace. Web.