State Department Addresses International Resurgence of Far-Left Political Terrorism

Today, the United States Department of State under the leadership of Secretary Rubio is convening governments from across the globe at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism to address the rise of far-left political terrorism as a transnational threat.

This Ministerial brings together partners from across the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and Asia to expand coordination, enhance information sharing, and strengthen international law enforcement mechanisms to counter the threat. 

The Resurgence of Far-Left Terrorism

The resurgent threat of transnational far-left terrorism is characterized by violent attacks against private citizens, government officials, police and law enforcement, businesses, and critical infrastructure across the globe.

• Historically, most politically motivated terrorism in the West has been carried out by violent far-left groups and individuals. Between 1970 and 1980, far-left terrorists were responsible for 93% of terrorist attacks and 58% of terrorism-related deaths.

• Since 2016, far-left terrorist plots and attacks have sharply increased in the United States and Europe, with a growing trend of violence against individuals.

• Far-left anti-government terrorism now accounts for more attacks and plots in the United States than any other ideological category.  Far-left actors were responsible for 63% of all recorded anti-government attacks or plots as well as three out of the four anti-government fatalities in the United States in 2025.

• In 2024, there were 21 attacks in the European Union attributed to far-left and anarchist terrorists, as compared to 24 attacks from jihadist terrorists that same year.  Of the 45 reported terrorist attacks in Europe in 2025, 12 were attributed to far-left and anarchist actors. 
• Over the past three years, Europe has experienced a record high number of terrorist attacks targeting rail networks, critical infrastructure, and private businesses, resulting in millions of euros in damage and economic disruption, with most attacks attributed to far-left and anarchist actors.

Previous State Department Actions to Combat Far-Left Terror

• The State Department designated four violent far-left groups as Foreign Terror Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, with additional designations under review.

• In December 2025, the State Department announced Rewards for Justice offers of up to $10 million for information disrupting the financial mechanisms supporting designated far-left terrorism groups.

• The State Department has engaged foreign partners through bilateral diplomatic engagements and demarches, with many partner countries reporting a rise in far-left terrorist activity, including targeted violence against government officials, economic sabotage, attacks on critical infrastructure, the use of improvised explosive and incendiary devices, and the convergence of violent anti-American, antisemitic, or anti-tech movements with far-left terrorist networks.

• The Department hosted the inaugural Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Workshop in May 2026, a practitioner-focused forum bringing together U.S. and foreign law enforcement and counterterrorism practitioners to share threat assessments and operational best practices.

• The United States Government is coordinating with foreign partners to restrict terrorist travel, enhance information sharing, and improve law enforcement cooperation to counter transnational far-left terrorists.