death squad

American  

noun

1. any of various groups of assassins, especially in Central America, whose members murder political dissidents, petty criminals, etc., usually with the tacit approval of the government.

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Etymology

Origin of death squad

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Speaking during a debate in Parliament a few months earlier, he told the House of Commons that "the allegation that our armed forces operated so-called death squads in Afghanistan" was "simply not true".

From BBC

Hollywood actor Don Cheadle played Rusesabagina in the hit movie “Hotel Rwanda,” which was inspired by his experiences as a hotel manager protecting Tutsi guests from Hutu death squads.

From Washington Post

Its death squad Hamas already attacked Israel with thousands of missiles, as they, too, were looking forward to a “return to normal.”

From Washington Times

Her father is serving a prison sentence for corruption and ordering death squads to carry out massacres that killed 25 people during a crackdown on leftist insurgents.

From Reuters

He eventually returned to Peru and was arrested on charges that linked him to death squads.

From Washington Post