ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2017

This determination identifies 22 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries for FY 2017, and designates Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela as having 'failed demonstrably' in their international counternarcotics obligations. It also determines that continued aid to Burma and Venezuela serves U.S. national interests, despite their failures, and directs the Secretary of State to submit the report to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 64749

Impact dates

  1. Submit report to Congress and publish in Federal Register

  2. Determination effective for FY 2017

Key directives

  • Identify 22 countries as major drug transit/illicit drug producing countries
  • Designate Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela as having failed demonstrably to adhere to international counternarcotics obligations
  • Determine that support for programs aiding Burma and Venezuela is vital to U.S. national interests
  • Submit report with justifications to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Country list takes effect for FY 2017
  • Failure determinations for Bolivia, Burma, Venezuela apply
  • National interest waiver for Burma and Venezuela aid

Near term (90d)

  • Congressional submission and Federal Register publication

Long term

  • Ongoing foreign assistance and sanctions implications
  • International counternarcotics cooperation frameworks

Risks & tensions

  • National interest waiver for Burma and Venezuela may draw congressional scrutiny despite statutory failure findings
  • Colombia's eradication policy shift noted as risk factor for increased cultivation
  • China fentanyl precursor controls described as incomplete
  • Document notes tension between public health and law enforcement approaches to drug policy
Presidential Determination: Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2017 · Executive Orders