US Removes Venezuela From Drug-Failure List, Signals Review of Colombia's Status
Venezuela exits the US list of countries failing to combat drug trafficking after more than 20 years; Colombia's status may be reviewed.
The United States has removed Venezuela from its list of countries deemed to have failed demonstrably in combating illegal drug trafficking, ending a designation that had stood for more than two decades, President Donald Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
Trump attributed the change to cooperation with Venezuela's interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, a former deputy of Nicolas Maduro. He said the administration's removal and arrest of Maduro in January had opened the way for joint efforts that are producing results, including the killing of the Tren de Aragua leader known as "Niño Guerrero." Venezuela had been on the failed list since 2005.
"I have determined Venezuela should no longer be designated as having failed demonstrably to fulfill its drug control commitments," Trump said, adding that he expects continued, measurable progress from the interim government in dismantling narcoterrorist groups and halting drug flows through the country.
Turning to Colombia, Trump said the country is positioned to resume its role as Washington's foremost security partner in the hemisphere following the election of President Abelardo De La Espriella. He said that if Colombia makes progress on aggressive coca eradication and dismantling narcoterrorist networks over the coming year, he would consider lifting its "failed demonstrably" status.
Colombia was designated last year for failing to combat cocaine production, a period marked by repeated clashes between Trump and former leftist President Gustavo Petro. Trump endorsed De La Espriella, a former lawyer for people connected to right-wing paramilitaries, who took office in August pledging a security crackdown.
Despite the changes, both Venezuela and Colombia remain classified by the United States as major transit hubs or major producers of illegal drugs. Others on that list include Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama and Peru.