Introduction 9
1.1 The Historical Origins and Development of terrorism 18
1.2 Classification of terrorism and its features at the present stage 34
2.1. Causes, Formation and Evolution of Terrorism in Latin America 44
2.2. Latin American terrorist groups and their impact on the international situation 62
3.1. The Impact of International Terrorism on the Situation in Latin America 67
3.2. Security Challenges and the Prospects for Counter-Terrorism in Latin America 76
Conclusion 86
List of used sources and literature
The relevance of this study is that today the problem of terrorism is one of the most global and relevant in the world. From the hands of terrorists, hundreds of people die every year. In Latin America, this problem is also acute, since the region is not politically stable and challenges serious social problems. On the continent, starting in the middle of the 20th century, many political, territorial, social, ethnic, including racial conflicts took place. All this gave an impetus to the development of forms of extremism, while some groups were involved in terrorist activity. An additional problem point is the presence in some Latin American countries of the diasporas of immigrants from the Middle East, some of which profess Islam (both in Sunni and Shiite forms). According to sources, in Latin America there are representative offices of some Islamic international terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda; Jihad Media Battalion; Hezbollah; Hamas; Islamic Jihad; Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiyya; Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (at the same time, according to the US authorities, they are associated not only with specific Latin American parties, but also with some governments), which can be a threat not only to the countries of the continent, but also to the whole world.
In total, there are many classifications of the term “terrorism”. However, in my opinion, the clearest definition was given by Evgeny Shcheblyakov, senior lecturer at the Siberian State Aerospace University. According to Shcheblyakov, modern terrorism is a complex, multidimensional and extremely negative socio-legal phenomenon, which, by its scale and development, poses a great threat to the whole world and goes beyond the borders of individual countries. As a result of this, various forums and meetings of heads of state are being held today, at which new and effective ways to counter this problem of the 21st century are discussed. Representatives of special counterterrorism services, law enforcement agencies, members and partners of public organizations and the media are also participants in such events.
Also, it is worth paying attention to the position of the Organization of the United Nations on the definition of terrorism. On November 12, 2001, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution No. 1377, On Global Efforts to Combat Terrorism. It indicates that international terrorism represents, if not the most, then one of the most global threats to all of humanity in the 21st century. The foundations and principles of this crime are a challenge for every person and every country.
Any form of support for terrorists (financing, training), according to the UN Charter, is regarded as participation in this activity and is contrary to the principles of organization.
Latin America is a growing region with its advantages and disadvantages. The country has faced many problems in its history, and still faces some of them to this day (terrorism, crime, drug trafficking). The 20th century was marked by numerous revolutionary movements that were directed either against the local dictatorship, or against those living conditions that did not suit citizens. In the 1930s, the ideology of fascism along the lines of Italy and Germany, which some groups adhered to, became widespread.
The second part of the 20th century took place in the confrontation of left and right radical organizations, where each pursued its own goal, but there were also common points - the struggle against communism. At this stage, there was an increase in terrorist activity, which in many groups has become the main method of struggle. The basis was taken of the killings, abductions of dignitaries, the organization of explosions and blackmail in order to obtain a ransom.
Latin America was a never-fading hotbed of the revolutionary movement mixed with crime and terrorist activity. This was especially noticeable at the junction of the three borders - Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, where the terrorists had the opportunity to freely penetrate the continent, as well as deploy their temporary bases and training camps.
In the 21st century, the vector of revolutionary terrorism is shifting. The main threat arises from the Islamic state (al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hezbollah). This is a problem not only for Latin America, but for the whole world. So, after the events of September 11, 2001, a more active involvement of countries in the fight against terrorism began. Latin America was no exception and created bodies such as CICTE in 1998 with subsequent conventions and summits, and CDS in 2008, based on the ideas of UNASUR on countering terrorism. In addition, Latin American countries have bilateral agreements with other states, as well as UN missions, which increases the chances of successful cooperation in the field of terrorism.
This master's thesis analyzed the formation of terrorism as a global phenomenon of the XX-XXI centuries, and also touched on the historical nuances of its origin in different parts of the world. Attention was paid to the characteristics of the activities of terrorists and their differences in the 21st century. So, for example, a hybrid state of terrorist activity, which increasingly includes cyber terrorism and information terrorism, is characteristic of today's era. But, despite this, such methods as explosions in crowded places, killing innocent citizens who are not related to the conflict and kidnapping for ransom or intimidation (kidnapping ISIS militants) remain in demand. ).
The stages of the development of terrorism in Latin America, which until WWII were accompanied by revolutionary protests against the government, were examined, and from the 1930s they introduced the ideas of fascism into their ranks (Brazilian integralism). The second half of the 20th century was characterized by confrontation with communism and the emergence of left-right radical groups that defended their ideas using also terrorist methods (abduction of the president of the Confederation of Workers of Colombia in 1976 by members of the M-19; abduction and murder of the former president of Argentina in 1970 by members of «Montoneros»). Local Latin American groups influenced the international situation, jeopardizing the system of international relations (hostage taking at the Japanese Embassy in Lima in 1982, members of «Tupac Amaru»).
