US removes Venezuela from drug blacklist after 20 years; Colombia kept on list

The United States on Wednesday removed Venezuela from its list of countries that have "failed demonstrably" to meet counter-narcotics obligations, ending a 20-year designation dating to 2005. President Donald Trump cited "positive advances" under interim president Delcy Rodríguez, including joint operations that killed Tren de Aragua leader "Niño Guerrero" and the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January.

Colombia remained on the decertified list alongside Afghanistan, Burma, and Bolivia for a second consecutive year. Trump attributed the decision to record coca cultivation and cocaine production under former president Gustavo Petro, whose "failed socialist policies" he blamed for the deterioration.

“Venezuela no longer must be designated as a country that has failed demonstrably to meet its drug control commitments.”

The administration praised Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August, and said the country could be recertified next year if it pursues aggressive coca eradication and dismantles narcoterrorist networks. A national-interest waiver preserves US assistance, valued at $380–450 million annually.

The Venezuela decision coincides with a major oil agreement granting the US majority control of 65 billion barrels — doubling US proven reserves — across 17 strategic fields, with projected investment exceeding $100 billion and $209 billion in royalties for Venezuela. Rodríguez has led the interim government for nine months since the US-backed intervention that toppled Maduro.

Bolivia also received praise after a new conservative government took power. The annual assessment covers 23 major drug-producing or transit nations, with only four designated as having failed demonstrably.