Carlos the Jackal International terrorist Date of Birth: 12.10.1949 Country: Venezuela

1. Early Life and Political Ideology
2. Training and Radicalization
3. Terrorist Activity and the OPEC Crisis
4. Religious Conversion and Hiding
5. Capture and Imprisonment
6. Autobiographical Work and Second Life Sentence
7. Cultural Representation
8. Legacy and Reflections

Early Life and Political Ideology

Born Ilich Ramírez Sánchez in Venezuela in 1949, Carlos the Jackal was named after Soviet revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. His father, a communist lawyer, instilled in him a belief in world revolution and a hatred for imperialism. Ramírez joined a communist youth organization in the mid-1960s and later attended the London School of Economics.

Training and Radicalization

In 1970, Ramírez traveled to Beirut and joined the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He received the nickname "Carlos" from Bassam Abu Sharif due to his Latin American heritage. Later, journalists dubbed him "the Jackal" after a book found in his hotel room.

Terrorist Activity and the OPEC Crisis

Carlos the Jackal became active as a terrorist in the early 1970s, but his initial attempts failed. However, in December 1975, he led an attack on the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, capturing hostages and securing a fueled airplane for escape. The hostages were later released in exchange for ransom.

Religious Conversion and Hiding

Carlos converted to Islam in 1975 and went into hiding in the Middle East. Although his whereabouts were unknown, he is believed to have remained active in terrorist activities.

Capture and Imprisonment

In 1994, Carlos the Jackal was captured in Sudan and extradited to France. In 1997, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and held in La Santé Prison. He was later transferred to Clairvaux Prison.

Autobiographical Work and Second Life Sentence

In 2003, Carlos released an autobiography, "Revolutionary Islam." In 2011, he received a second life sentence for organizing terrorist attacks in France that resulted in 11 deaths.

Cultural Representation

Carlos the Jackal has been a popular subject in literature, film, and music. He is featured in books, spy thrillers like "The Assignment," and even a Black Grape song and a James Bond video game.

Legacy and Reflections

Carlos the Jackal expressed pride in his terrorist activities but regretted the evolution of the world, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the ongoing occupation of Palestine.