Washington DC — US President Donald Trump has revised his administration's annual determinations on "major drug-transit and illicit drug-producing" nations, removing Venezuela from its non-compliance blacklist while maintaining scrutiny on 23 countries.
Washington has determined that Venezuela will no longer be designated as having "failed demonstrably" to adhere to international counter-narcotics agreements, according to presidential determination by Trump released on Wednesday.
The presidential determination submitted to Congress named Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries.
There was no immediate comment from the countries regarding the US review.
Trump cited renewed security coordination with the interim administration in Caracas and enforcement measures targeting transnational crime syndicates, including the Tren de Aragua network.
Trump said his administration designated Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia as having failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to make substantial efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements and to take the counternarcotics measures.
The US assessment acknowledged leadership transitions across South America, noting expanded bilateral law enforcement coordination with Bolivia following the extradition of high-profile trafficking suspects.
However, Washington noted that elevated coca cultivation and institutional challenges mean Bolivia's designation will only be revisited subject to tangible progress in the coming year.
A similar condition was outlined for Colombia, where the Trump administration expressed optimism over pledged eradication campaigns against record cocaine output, indicating that progress over the next 12 months could pave the way for lifting its current "failed demonstrably" status.
"The people of Colombia made the courageous choice to elect Abelardo de la Espriella as President. He has pledged to lead an aggressive campaign against coca cultivation and cocaine production, which reached record levels under the failed socialist policies of his predecessor," said Trump.
"Colombia is poised to resume its place as our foremost security partner in the hemisphere, and the country’s military, police, prosecutors, and courts now finally have a worthy champion in President de la Espriella."
Views on Myanmar, Afghanistan
Trump's review commended broader regional co-operation across the Western Hemisphere, praising initiatives undertaken by authorities in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador.
Outside the region, India was highlighted for its ongoing efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain oversight through the US-India Drug Policy Framework.
"I welcome Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and the Government of India's efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and bolster supply chain integrity," the statement quoting Trump said.
Conversely, the statement issued strong rebukes against Brazil, urging decisive action against major organised crime factions such as the Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho.
Nicaragua was similarly criticised by Trump for inadequate enforcement against illicit transit routes.
Myanmar and Afghanistan were reconfirmed as having failed demonstrably in their drug control obligations, with officials pointing to extensive illicit poppy cultivation and synthetic drug manufacturing that continue to supply global black markets.
Trump claimed the military rulers in Myanmar have made little discernible effort to crack down on its drug economy, "making the country the world’s largest source of opium poppy and one of the largest suppliers of methamphetamine."
"Despite the Taliban's announced opium poppy ban, Afghanistan continues to supply drug markets across the world," he said.
Trump also demanded that Canada and Mexico intensify efforts against cross-border illicit drug trafficking and dismantle organised criminal networks.
"Fentanyl continues to be illicitly produced in clandestine Canadian labs, and precursor chemicals and synthetic drugs continue to enter the US through Canada," said Trump, adding Mexico must take additional action against the "narcoterrorist organisations that dominate vast areas of its territory and continue to threaten the American people."
