Terruqueo

Terruqueo (from Andean Spanishterruco, -ca 'terrorist') refers in Peru to the act of falsely labeling people as terrorists or terrorist sympathizers without evidence, primarily via the use of the political pejorativesterruco or tuco. Usually, the victims are alleged to be linked to Shining Path and the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement guerrilla, armed groups involved in the Peruvian Internal Armed Conflict.

This practice in political discourse has been described as a form of negative campaigning and often racist method of fearmongering weaponized against anti-Fujimorists, liberal or left-wing political opponents, or any kind of social inequality critics; and the tactic has primarily being used by right-wing parties and Fujimorists to create a culture of fear. It has also been described as a form of discoursive dehumanization. United Nations experts have condemned the use of the terruqueo, describing it as an intimidation tactic used by the government.