US removes Venezuela from major drug list as Colombia and Bolivia remain designated

The Trump administration has removed Venezuela from the United States’ list of major drug transit or production countries, citing increased cooperation with the country’s interim government following Nicolás Maduro’s removal.

In a statement submitted to Congress, US President Donald Trump said his administration was seeing progress against narcotics and cooperation with Venezuela against cartels. The claims about Maduro’s removal and Venezuela’s interim government were made by Trump and reported by Al Jazeera Global News.

Colombia and Bolivia remain on the US list, although Trump said their removal was being considered. He praised both countries’ new conservative governments and said he expected stronger efforts to eradicate coca and combat groups described by his administration as “narcoterrorist”.

The list forms part of an annual presidential report to Congress on countries’ efforts against narcotics production and trafficking. Countries included may face restrictions on some forms of US financial assistance, although the source does not detail the precise legal effect of Venezuela’s removal.

The report also criticised Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Nicaragua. The administration said political changes in South America had created opportunities for closer US cooperation, while Washington has announced it will redirect $52 million in foreign military funding towards Latin America.