narco-terrorism

noun

nar·​co-ter·​ror·​ism ˈnär-(ˌ)kō-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce narco-terrorism (audio)
: terrorism financed by profits from illegal drug trafficking
Narco-terrorism should become a major issue in bilateral discussions in the international community …Rachel Ehrenfeld
narco-terrorist noun

Examples of narco-terrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2020, Maduro was indicted in a New York federal court on charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and other charges. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 20 Aug. 2025 Maduro, indicted in New York in 2020 on narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy charges, has clung to power with military backing and allegedly with support from Russia, China and Cuba. Greg Wehner , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency, along with several close allies on federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. Joshua Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025 The Department of Justice, during Trump’s first term, indicted Maduro and 14 other current and former high level officials for narco-terrorism, corruption, drug trafficking and other criminal charges. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 13 July 2025 This Republican thinks so California prosecutors unseal first ever narco-terrorism indictment against Mexican drug traffickers Lopez: Trump’s immigration reforms are reshaping the meaning of being American There are risks to drawing Trump into the Tijuana’s problems. Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025 Trump claims Tren de Aragua is a foreign terrorist organization engaged in warfare against the U.S. in the form of narco-terrorism – the use of drug trade to influence government operations. Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025 Mohammed had been sentenced to life in prison for narco-terrorism. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 That document includes charges of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists; narco-terrorism conspiracy; racketeering conspiracy; and alien smuggling conspiracy. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of narco-terrorism was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Narco-terrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narco-terrorism. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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