Washington removed Venezuela from the group of countries it says failed to meet drug-control obligations, and signaled that Colombia could follow next year if its new government makes progress against cocaine trafficking.
President Donald Trump cited Venezuela’s cooperation against drug cartels since US forces seized Nicolás Maduro in January, including the killing of Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero. 15.
“Given the positive steps taken under interim President Delcy Rodríguez, I have determined Venezuela should no longer be designated as having failed demonstrably to fulfill its drug control commitments,” Trump said in a statement sent to Congress Sept.
Colombia will remain designated as having failed to meet its commitments for now. But Trump blamed former President Gustavo Petro for record cocaine production, while praising the new government that took office in August. The decision underscores how Washington’s counternarcotics relationships in Latin America are being reshaped by victories for conservative leaders in several recent elections.
“I will consider lifting the country’s “failed demonstrably” status, which remains in place solely due to the incompetence and chaos produced by the previous far-left government in office throughout the bulk of the past year,” he said. Trump said he expects Venezuela to make further measurable progress in dismantling what he called narcoterrorist groups and in stopping drug trafficking through its territory to the US. He also said Colombia is now poised to resume its role as Washington’s “foremost security partner in the hemisphere.”
President Abelardo De la Espriella’s pledge to pursue an aggressive campaign against coca cultivation and cocaine production could get Colombia off the list next year, he said.
