Introduction
Carlos the Jackal is the nick name used to refer to a Venezuelan –born revolutionary who is famous for his planning and participation in terror activities. He is well known for his leadership role in the 1975 raid that occurred in the OPEC headquarters in Vienna. His real name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, and he was born in October 12, 1949 in the Venezuelan town of Caracas. Carlos the Jackal was an international terrorist and assassin, who before his imprisonment planned and participated in various bomb attacks and attempted assassination of some political leaders in the world. The OPEC attack took place in December 1975, where the OPEC leaders were assaulted. During the attack, about sixty people were taken as hostages. Several people died as a result of the attack. Carlos was a member of the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine, and the founder of the Arab Armed Struggle. The Arab Armed Struggle movement was made up of German, Syrian, and Lebanese rebels. Ramirez remained one of the most wanted international fugitives for many years until his arrest in 1994.This was followed by his prosecution, and his life imprisonment in December 1997.Up to date, Ramirez is being held as a prisoner in the Clairvaux prison in France. Ramirez is significant in the US domestic terrorism discussion (Follain, J. 1998).
Significance of Carlos the Jackal in the US domestic terrorism Discussion
Carlos the Jackal was involved in various acts of terrorism and assassinations during his career life before his imprisonment. The issue of terrorism is taken very seriously by the US government, due to the nation’s vulnerability to terror attacks (Harvey, K.2002). The US has for a long time remained an easy target for terrorism, especially terror attacks from terror organizations such as the Al Qaeda. According to the US Federal Bureau Investigation, an estimated 250 incidents of terrorism out of the total 335 that occurred in the US between 1980 and 2000 were those involving domestic terrorism. Any individual, organization, or nation that supports acts of terrorism and the organizations that perpetrate these acts is of great significance to the US fight against terrorism, domestic terrorism included. Carlos Ramirez is an individual who fully supports terrorism, and especially the attacks against the US. He supports terror acts arguing that they are class conflicts. Furthermore, Ramirez supports international terrorism organizations such as the Al Qaeda, and its leader Osama bin Laden. Since the organization remains one of the greatest threat to the security of the American citizens, Ramirez support for it raises concern in the US discussion about domestic terrorism. Due to the US government dedication and commitment in fighting domestic terrorism, Carlo’s support for terrorism cannot be ignored. Ramirez also supported Saddam Hussein, a person who was seen by the US government as supporting terror groups. He referred to Saddam as “the Last Arabic Knight”. With Ramirez support for terrorism, he is significant in the US terrorism discussion.
The Carlos Complex
The Carlos complex can be viewed as the continuation of the terrorism attacks similar to those that were planned and perpetrated by Ramirez before his imprisonment. Some of the modern day terror attacks still have political motives that are similar to those of the terror attacks by Ramirez. In the modern world, so many terror organizations have cropped up just like the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Arab Armed Struggle that Ramirez was involved in. The political motives that Ramirez held while he carried out his terror activities seem to hold water for the modern day terror activities. The so-called “Carlos Complex” focuses on Carlos’ contribution to the present day terrorism.
References
Follain, J. (1998). Jackal: The Complete Story of the Legendary Terrorist, Carlos the Jackal. Arcade Publishing
Harvey, K. (2002). Encyclopedia of Terrorism .SAGE Publications
