The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (farc) is Considered a Dissident Terrorist Organization.

According to the Dr. Casserleigh and Dr. David, state sponsored terrorism, often called, “terrorism from above,” is when the government uses their power against its own people (Casserleigh et.al, 2003, p.32). To explain further, these governments go as far as using terror tactics which undermines international and public trust. These actions are usually violent and aggressive and would usually occur outside of war. Those who perpetrate these acts are often found to work for the state. This can be the governments regular military. A specific group that I’d like to focus on is the Nicaraguan Danielista parliamentary troupe. This group is organized by the Sandinista president Daniel Ortega (Inczauskis, 2018). Because the presidency of Daniel Ortega is often associated with corruption and oppression, many of its own citizens speak out against this by protesting and publicizing the actions of the government. In result of this, the Danielista’s openly massacre these individuals that are actively against the government. According to the Jesuit Post, as of July 18, 2018 the government has murdered and injured over 351 people. One instance is when a priest of the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy housed one hundred students and journalists who were fleeing from the violence. The Danielista parliamentary troupe then opened fire on the church and held a 12-hour siege that killed protestors. Another instance is when 5,000 protestors were fleeing gunshots and sought refuge in the nearby Jesuit Central American University campus (Inczauskis, 2018). I believe that the Danielista Parliamentary group falls under this category, because although Daniel Ortega denies being responsible for these deaths, he is and uses them to inflict fear on those who do not support his regime.

Dissident Terrorism:

According to Dr. Derek Paulsen, Dissident Terrorism, also referred to as “terrorism from below,” are usually non-state movements or groups that are against the government. These can be ethno-national, perceived enemies, or religious groups. Usually, they are anti-state in nature and will cause violence against people within their government or other groups within their country (Paulsen, 2011). There may be times that these groups are attempting to change the political schema of their society, but these groups usually have clear objectives (Casserleigh et.al, 2003, p.31). To introduce an example of this type of terrorism, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are a known dissident movement. This group proclaimed themselves as a Marxist-Leninist organization that has the goal of representing the rural areas of Colombia by obtaining power through armed revolution and establishing government. Although they started with ideological goals, they are now considered a criminal organization. They were formed during a time of violence that came with the distribution of land and wealth. In the 1950’s, they created this guerilla force in opposition to the National Front solidifying their hold over Colombia (Zalman, 2018). FARC carried out a number of attacks into achieving financial and military goals, such as, kidnappings, hijackings, assassinations, extortions, and bombings. An instance of these attacks was in July 17, 2008 the organization used a cylinder gas bomb attack in the town of Toribio due to a conflict with the government that injured 20 civilians and killed one child. Another instance was when FARC took responsibility of the killings of 34 coca farmers because they supported right-wing parliamentarians (Zalman, 2018). In summary, this group does exemplify the characteristics of dissident terrorism by being a home-grown organization that openly opposes the government with attacks that cause civilian deaths and killing those that openly support the opposition.

International Terrorism:

By definition, International Terrorism is when members from one country inflicts terror on others from another country. This is usually to influence the politics of the country that was attacked. The individuals involved in these acts are not native to the country in which the terrorist attack occurs. Sometimes these attacks can be state sponsored but other times they are just organizations (Paulsen, 2011). In one instance in 1987, North Korean agents planted a bomb aboard a Korean Airlines in South Korea. The reason for this act of terrorism was that it was an attempt to destabilize the Republic of Korea (South Korea). This act killed 115 passengers and the crew. Because this terror attack had a political motive, it would fall under the category of International Terrorism. The perpetrator say’s that she was the puppet of Kim II Sung’s and was directed by him to carry out this act (Yoon et al., 2018). Additionally, Plunk adds that these North Korean agents have also tried to assassinate the president of the South Korea twice within a twenty-year range (Plunk, 1988) Overall, these acts of terrorism were used in a way to alter politics and try to destabilize South Korea.

Religious Terrorism:

Religious Terrorism is described to be motivated by a belief that the higher power commanded or sanctioned the terrorist action in the name of their faith (Casserleigh et.al, 2003, p.35). These acts are seen by the perpetrators as forgivable by their religion. This is a common use of terrorism today but important to note that it is the oldest forms of terrorism. Specifically, a group named Hyderabad Mujahideen, carries out these terrorist attacks to “defend themselves…and protect other Muslims” (McElroy, 2008). This group is based in South India and is associated with many other Islamic Extremist organizations. On the contrary, these groups have been influenced by the teachings of Maududi’s, which is very influential on younger people. They do this to influence as much people to join their movement and when they take accountability for attacks their base receives support. Usually, those that are Muslim within India are labeled as the minority, so when they see that their Indian State lacks in representing them it radicalizes these communities. In emails that have been sent out before the attacks, this group would shed light on their objectives of spreading Islam in India, waging jihad against infidels (non-Muslims), and establishing the government of Allah according to the Quran (Goswami, 2009). One instance of these attacks occurred in Jaipur in 2008. There were eight bomb blasts that killed two people. Another instance was when five bombs killed and injured over 100 people (Roul, 2009). This group is a clear example of religious terrorism due to their actions embedded in protecting and spreading the Muslim faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the analysis of various forms of terrorism sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this global phenomenon. State-sponsored terrorism, exemplified by the Danielista parliamentary troupe in Nicaragua, demonstrates the use of governmental power to suppress dissent and instill fear among the populace. Dissident terrorism, as seen through groups like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), reflects the actions of non-state movements opposing established governments, often resorting to violence to achieve their objectives. International terrorism, illustrated by acts such as the Korean Airlines bombing orchestrated by North Korean agents, underscores the transnational impact of terrorist activities aimed at influencing political dynamics beyond national borders. Lastly, religious terrorism, epitomized by organizations like the Hyderabad Mujahideen in India, highlights the manipulation of religious beliefs to justify acts of violence in the name of faith.

These diverse manifestations of terrorism underscore the importance of understanding the underlying motivations, ideologies, and dynamics driving such actions. Addressing the root causes of terrorism requires a multifaceted approach involving diplomatic efforts, socioeconomic development, counterterrorism measures, and international collaboration. By addressing grievances, promoting inclusivity, and countering extremist narratives, societies can work towards mitigating the risk of terrorism and fostering a more peaceful and secure global community.