Washington has removed Venezuela from its list of countries deemed to have demonstrably failed to meet their international counternarcotics obligations. President Donald Trump also said that Colombia could be taken off the list next year if its new government makes progress in combating cocaine trafficking.
In a statement sent to the U.S. Congress on September 15, Donald Trump linked the decision on Venezuela to its recent cooperation against drug cartels after the detention of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in January. He also highlighted the elimination of Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero.
«Given the positive steps taken under the leadership of interim president Delcy Rodriguez, I have determined that Venezuela should no longer be considered as having demonstrably failed to meet its obligations in the sphere of drug control», Donald Trump said.
Colombia may be removed from the list next year
Colombia currently remains on the list of countries that the U.S. assesses as having demonstrably failed to meet their obligations. Donald Trump blamed former president Gustavo Petro for record levels of cocaine production, while praising the new administration that took office in August.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged an aggressive campaign against coca cultivation and cocaine production. According to Donald Trump, this could enable Colombia to be removed from the list next year, and he said he would consider revoking the country’s status, which persists because of the previous government’s actions.
Donald Trump also noted that Venezuela must continue to show measurable progress in dismantling groups he describes as narco‑terrorist and in halting drug transits through its territory to the United States. He added that, with these steps, Colombia could once again become a «key U.S. security partner in the Western Hemisphere».
Colombia‘s Ambassador to the United States Maria Consuelo Araujo said the country will implement a strategy to eradicate illegal crops using all available legal methods.
«Our goal is to counter the entire drug‑trafficking chain: from illegal crops, laboratories, and chemical precursors to transportation routes, criminal finances, command structures, and international networks», Maria Consuelo Araujo said.
The Constitutional Court of Colombia has set strict conditions for resuming aerial glyphosate spraying because of potential health and environmental risks. The administration of Abelardo de la Espriella is also reviewing the possibility of testing alternative herbicides, although a pilot project using glufosinate ammonium remains suspended by court order.
Source: Bloomberg
