On Thursday, July 16th, 2026, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a global conference titled the “Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism,” bringing together representatives from over 65 countries. The meeting focused on political violence attributed to far-left groups, which the US Department of State describes as a “renewed threat” and a previously overlooked area in international counterterrorism efforts.

The Trump administration’s 2026 counterterrorism strategy identifies three main threats: Islamist terrorism, narco-terrorism, and violent left-wing extremists, including anarchists and anti-fascists. Notably, the strategy excludes right-wing extremism and white supremacist groups despite documented violence linked to some of these factions, including the January 6, 2020, Capitol attack.

In November 2025, the US designated four European groups as terrorist organizations: German Antifa Ost, the Italian Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), Greek Armed Proletarian Justice, and Greek Revolutionary Class Self-Defense. The strategy also references the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September 2025, attributing it to a perpetrator described as espousing extreme transgender ideologies.

Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have expressed concern that labeling far-left groups as terrorist organizations could be used to suppress lawful protests and political opposition rather than addressing genuine security threats. The ACLU conveyed to Reuters that these designations risk targeting legitimate dissent.

Thomas Renard, director of The Hague-based International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, commented that the summit signals a fundamental shift in the US perception of threats.

Historically, Latin America experienced several left-wing armed movements during the Cold War, such as Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), El Salvador’s Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMNL), and Uruguay’s Tupamaros, which engaged in prolonged political violence.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pardoned all individuals charged with violence during the January 6, 2023, insurrection, including those accused of assaulting police officers.

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