"Narco-Terrorism": The Real Meaning

In keeping with the Colombia theme, I will discuss the threat of violence from narco-trafficking (or narco-terrorist) groups. Originally, these groups were in conflict with just the host nation of Colombia in what seemed like an endless battle. However, since the war on drugs in the 1980s, along with the large and ever-reaching repercussions that came out of the post 9/11 era, these groups have received more and more international attention. 

First of all, it has been difficult to differentiate between narco-traffickers and a political/coup movement. The reason for this is that most political groups start out with their ideologies leading the way, but in order to make money, they traffic or protect the trafficking of cocaine. Eventually a transformation occurs in which the political movement has turning into a strictly money making organization still attempting to cling to the guise of a political movement. This happened both with the FARC and The National Liberation Army (ELN). For this reason, it is sometimes difficult to classify these groups. They are definitely non-state actors, but is it a civil war, terrorism, or a coup? This answer varies depending on the group and that phase they might be in when it comes to their ideology and methods. 

The next problem is the identification of the very word narco-terrorism. “Originally defined in 1983 by Peruvian President Belaunde Terry, narco-terrorism was used as a term to describe terrorist attacks on his country‘s drug enforcement police”. However, according to The Free Dictionary narco-terrorism can also include “Terrorism carried out to prevent interference with or divert attention from illegal narcotics trafficking.” I believe this term is very vague on purpose; because after 9/11 if one attaches the word “terrorist” to any type of violence then it will most surely receive more attention and more funding. While these groups are conducting attacks against enforcement agents and government personnel, their methods have not drastically changed since the 1980s, so attaching this label to them seems to be a knee jerk reaction. 

This patch states: "Not one step back - Liberation or death"

Since 2005, Colombia has done a much better job in combating these groups. The FARC is at its weakest point in 30 years, and the ELN are no longer able to openly conduct their transport of narcotics. While there is still an uphill battle to fight these traffickers, this “weak state” is slowly combating this problem with help from the international community, which mainly includes the United States.