US President Donald Trump today removed Venezuela from the list of countries that, according to Washington, are in breach of their obligations in the fight against drug trafficking.
© Juan BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images
16/09/2026
by
Lusa
A measure represents another demonstration of rapprochement with the Government of the Venezuelan interim President, Delcy Rodríguez.
Trump decided to remove the Caribbean country from a list in which Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar and Colombia continue to appear, as stated in the “Presidential Declaration on the main countries of transit or illicit drug production for the fiscal year 2027”, today published by the State Department.
The list lists states that, in the last 12 months, “have not met their “obligations derived from international drug trafficking agreements” and the measures required by US law in this regard.
On the other hand, Trump states in the document that the provision of Washington assistance to Bolivia, Myanmar and Colombia “is currently vital for the national interests of the United States.”.
Although the U.S. President kept Venezuela on the list of “principal countries of transit or illicit drug production,” he assured that “the drastic political changes in South America over the past year have created historic opportunities for US cooperation with the governments of the region.”.
“In Venezuela, thanks to the fact that my government has succeeded in arresting and destituting former illegitimate dictator and drug dealer Nicolás Maduro, we are already witnessing the results of increasing cooperation with the interim government of the country to combat cartels, including the elimination of Niño Guerrero, leader of Tren de Aragua,” wrote the Republican.
“ Given the positive progress made under the management of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, I have determined that Venezuela should no longer be pointed out by a proven non-compliance with its drug control commitments. I hope to see continuous and quantifiable progress by the interim government in dismantling narco-terrorist groups and in stopping drug trafficking through Venezuela to the United States,” Trump added.
This year’s list of “main transit or illicit drug production countries” remains unchanged and includes, in addition to Venezuela: Afghanistan, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Myanmar, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama and Peru.