ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationTrump 45 · R

Presidential Determination

Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2018

This determination identifies 22 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries for FY2018 under the FRAA. It specifically designates Bolivia and Venezuela as having "failed demonstrably" to meet international counternarcotics obligations, while keeping Colombia off that list despite record coca cultivation. It also finds that aid programs for Venezuela are vital to U.S. national interests, allowing certain assistance to continue despite the designation.

Federal Register Open PDF 82 FR 45413

Impact dates

  1. Submission of designation and Bolivia/Venezuela justifications to Congress

  2. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Identify 22 countries as major drug transit/producing countries
  • Designate Bolivia and Venezuela as failing demonstrably on counternarcotics obligations
  • Exempt Venezuela aid programs as vital to U.S. national interests
  • Submit designation and justifications to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register
  • Expect Colombia to make significant progress reducing coca cultivation and cocaine production

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Designation of 22 countries on major drug transit/producing list
  • Bolivia and Venezuela designated as failing demonstrably
  • Venezuela aid programs exempted as vital to U.S. national interests

Near term (90d)

  • Submission of designation and justifications to Congress
  • Publication in Federal Register
  • Colombia expected to make significant progress in reducing coca cultivation

Long term

  • Potential revocation or continuation of Bolivia/Venezuela designations based on future compliance
  • Potential future designation of Colombia if coca reduction progress not achieved
  • Annual re-evaluation for FY2019 determination

Risks & tensions

  • U.S.-Venezuela relations already strained; designation may escalate tensions
  • Bolivia designation risks diplomatic friction
  • Colombia exemption despite record cultivation creates tension between enforcement goals and security partnership priorities
  • Venezuela aid exemption (706(3)(A)) suggests humanitarian/security concerns override sanctions-like designation
Presidential Determination: Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2018 · Executive Orders