The United States has removed Venezuela from its list of nations failing to meet international counternarcotics commitments, highlighting progress under interim President Delcy Rodríguez in combating drug-trafficking organizations. This marks a shift in Washington’s assessment, as Venezuela had been previously listed among countries not meeting these obligations.
Despite this development for Venezuela, Colombia remains on the list of countries that have not sufficiently addressed international counternarcotics standards. The White House noted that Colombia was one of four countries identified as having “failed demonstrably” over the past year to make significant strides in this area. However, President Donald Trump indicated that Colombia might be removed from the list next year if the country makes further advancements in tackling coca cultivation, cocaine production, and drug-trafficking networks.
Colombian authorities have expressed their commitment to disrupting the entire drug-trafficking chain. Their strategy includes targeting illicit crops, dismantling production facilities, disrupting trafficking routes, and addressing criminal finances and international networks.
The U.S. decision underscores its ongoing focus on counternarcotics cooperation with Latin American countries. Both Venezuela and Colombia are still recognized by the U.S. as major drug-transit or illicit drug-producing countries for the fiscal year 2027. However, Venezuela’s removal from the list of those failing to meet obligations marks a notable change in its international standing.