This article presents an empirical model examining the explanatory relationship between three constructs: populism, conspiracy beliefs, and extremist attitudes—defined as attitudes of rejection and destruction toward democratic systems, manifested through violent acts, and even terrorism. The research was conducted in an emerging economic country, using a representative sample of 400 citizens in full exercise of their civil rights. The data were meticulously analyzed. The results indicate that populist attitudes influence extremist attitudes, mediated by conspiracy beliefs. This suggests that individuals with populist attitudes are more prone to general extremism, amplified by conspiracy theories. An increase in populist attitudes may heighten inclinations toward violent extremism. Additionally, populist attitudes were found to explain both right- and left-wing radicalism, mediated by conspiracy beliefs. However, contrary to findings in Europe and the United States, populism exhibited a highly significant relationship with left-wing radicalism in this context. A key conclusion of this study is that populism poses a greater risk than traditional ideologized radicalisms due to its ability to directly influence extremist attitudes, potentially translating into violent and even terrorist behaviors. This finding underscores the urgency of addressing populism as a sociopolitical phenomenon capable of exacerbating extremist dynamics in contemporary contexts.