The ‘narcoterrorism’ threat: Exploring avenues to uphold human rights amidst a new 'war on drugs'
When? 9 December — on the eve and with the occasion of International Human Rights Day. 9:00 Washington D.C. / 11:00 São Paulo
15:00 Ginebra / 21:00 Bangkok
Where? Online. REGISTER HERE
Organised by Amnesty International, Conectas Brazil, the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
The concept of ‘Narcoterrorism’ was coined in the 1980s and has long been associated with extreme responses to drugs. In recent months, the term has regained prominence amongst governments in the Americas, raising concerns about a resurgence of ‘war-on-drugs’ policies that have proven both ineffective and deeply damaging for human rights.
The most notable case has been that of the United States. Upon taking office, the Trump Administration designated several trafficking organisations as terrorist groups. Since September 2025, it has initiated a campaign of military strikes against civilian vessels in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific, alleging their involvement in drug trafficking activities. In scarcely two months, this has resulted in more than 80 people killed (see WOLA tracker here). Human rights experts have expressed serious concerns that these attacks may constitute violations of international law and potentially amount to international crimes, whilst the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for prompt, independent, and transparent investigations. Some Member States have also expressed concern at potential violations of international law.
The renewed invocation of ‘narcoterrorism’ is not unique to the USA. Throughout the Americas, elected officials have employed this label to declare states of emergencies and to justify the use of military and paramilitary forces, often resulting in extrajudicial killings. This is despite clear evidence that conflating drug trafficking and terrorist groups is factually inaccurate, and can lead to misguided and harmful responses.
This online event, convened to mark the 2025 International Human Rights Day, will examine contemporary uses of the narcoterrorism narrative and explore how the international community can respond to this troubling development to safeguard the integrity of international human rights law, with particular attention to mechanisms for investigation and accountability. The event will bring together stakeholders engaged in international drug policy debates, including government officials from national capitals and missions in Vienna, Geneva, and New York, as well as representatives from civil society and experts working at the intersection of drug policy, human rights, and security.
Speakers:
- Ben Saul - UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights
- John Walsh - Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
- Gizele Martins - Journalist & human rights activist
- Daniel Noroña - Amnesty International USA
- Moderated by: Ann Fordham, International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)