US Removes Venezuela from Drug-Control Failure List, Trump Signals Possible Colombia Change

The United States has removed Venezuela from its annual list of countries that have “failed demonstrably” to meet international drug-control obligations, marking the first time the country has been taken off the designation since 2005.

President Donald Trump also said the United States could remove Colombia from the list if its government makes measurable progress in eradicating coca crops and dismantling drug-trafficking networks.

The changes come as Washington seeks closer security cooperation with governments in the region and links drug-control policy to broader efforts against organised crime.

Why Venezuela Was Removed

Trump attributed Venezuela's removal to what he described as increased cooperation following the ouster and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro in January.

According to the US determination, the subsequent interim government led by Maduro's former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, has worked more closely with Washington on counter-narcotics efforts.

Trump pointed to actions against criminal organisations as evidence that the cooperation was producing results.

One example he cited was the reported killing of Tren de Aragua leader “Niño Guerrero.”

In his formal determination, Trump said he expected the interim government to deliver “continued, measurable progress” in dismantling what his administration describes as “narcoterrorist groups” and disrupting drug trafficking through Venezuela.

Trump May Also Remove Colombia

Colombia remains on the “failed demonstrably” list for now, but Trump said its status could change.

The country was placed on the list last year following repeated disagreements between Trump and then-Colombian President Gustavo Petro over cocaine production, coca eradication and security policy.

Trump now says Colombia is “poised to resume its place as our foremost security partner in the hemisphere” following the election of Abelardo De La Espriella, who took office in August after receiving Trump's endorsement.

De La Espriella, a former lawyer for individuals linked to right-wing paramilitary groups, campaigned on a tougher security agenda and has pledged more aggressive coca eradication and action against drug-trafficking organisations.

Trump said that if Colombia delivers the expected progress over the next year, he would consider removing its “failed demonstrably” designation.

Drug-Control Designation Is Different From Major Drug-Country Status

Venezuela's removal from the “failed demonstrably” category does not mean the United States considers the country free from drug-trafficking concerns.

Both Venezuela and Colombia remain on the separate US list of major drug-transit or drug-producing countries.

That list includes countries such as Afghanistan, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Pakistan, India and China, among others.

The two designations therefore serve different purposes. A country can remain identified as a major drug-producing or transit country while being judged to have met certain US expectations regarding international drug-control cooperation.

What the Changes Signal

The decisions indicate that Washington is placing greater emphasis on cooperation and measurable counter-narcotics results when assessing governments in the region.

Venezuela's removal follows a major political shift in US-Venezuela relations, while Trump's comments on Colombia suggest that Washington could similarly adjust its assessment if Bogotá adopts policies aligned with US priorities on coca cultivation and organised crime.

For now, however, Colombia remains on the “failed demonstrably” list, and neither country's removal from the separate major drug-transit or producing-country designation has been announced.