In a significant policy shift, the United States has removed Venezuela from its list of countries deemed ineffective in combating illegal drug trafficking, marking the first time in more than two decades this has occurred. President Donald Trump announced this change on Wednesday, stating that the U.S. might also consider removing neighboring Colombia from the list.
This decision follows the ousting and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, leading to improved cooperation between the U.S. and the interim government led by Maduro’s former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez. Trump noted that this collaboration has led to successes, including the elimination of the leader of the criminal gang “Tren de Aragua,” known as “Nino Guerrero,” as detailed in a presidential decision released by the U.S. State Department, according to reports from Reuters and News.ro.
Venezuela had been labeled a failing state in this regard since 2005. Trump remarked, “I have decided that Venezuela should no longer be classified as a country that has manifestly failed to fulfill its commitments regarding drug control. I expect to see continued and measurable progress from the interim government in dismantling narcoterrorist groups and stopping drug trafficking through Venezuela.”
Trump Considers Removing Colombia From Drug List
Furthermore, Trump expressed interest in removing Colombia from the list, a country he placed on it last year. He stated, “Colombia is ready to reclaim its status as our main security partner in the hemisphere,” following the election of President Abelardo De La Espriella. He indicated that if Colombia shows expected progress in aggressively eradicating coca cultivation and dismantling its narcoterrorist networks over the next year, he would consider lifting its designation as a “manifestly failed” country.
Last year, Trump included Colombia on the list due to its failure to combat cocaine production amidst ongoing exchanges of accusations with then-leftist President Gustavo Petro. Trump supported the election of De La Espriella, a former lawyer for individuals connected to right-wing paramilitary groups, who took office in August and promised strict security measures.
Both Venezuela and Colombia remain considered by the U.S. as crucial transit points or major producers of drugs, along with Afghanistan, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Myanmar, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, and Peru.
