ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationTrump 45 · R

Presidential Determination

Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2020

This annual determination identifies 22 countries as major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries for FY2020, with specific designations that Bolivia and the Maduro regime in Venezuela failed demonstrably to meet international counternarcotics obligations. It also includes a warning that Mexico could face similar designation without further progress, sets a joint 5-year coca reduction goal with Colombia, and determines that U.S. support for Venezuela's interim government is vital to national interests.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 44679

Impact dates

  1. Joint 5-year goal to reduce Colombian coca cultivation and cocaine production by half

  2. Consideration of Mexico demonstrable failure determination if insufficient progress over coming year

Key directives

  • Identify 22 countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries
  • Designate Bolivia as having failed demonstrably to adhere to international counternarcotics obligations
  • Designate Maduro regime in Venezuela as having failed demonstrably to adhere to international counternarcotics obligations
  • Determine U.S. programs supporting legitimate interim government in Venezuela are vital to national interests
  • Submit designation with Bolivia and Venezuela memoranda of justification to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register
  • Warn Mexico of potential future designation without further progress over coming year

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Submission of designation and justifications to Congress
  • Publication in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Continued coordination with Colombia on aerial eradication
  • Monitoring of Mexican poppy eradication and interdiction efforts

Long term

  • Joint 5-year goal to reduce Colombian coca cultivation and cocaine production by half by end of 2023
  • Potential determination of Mexico's demonstrable failure if progress insufficient over coming year
  • Efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela and post-Maduro counternarcotics cooperation

Risks & tensions

  • Warning to Mexico carries implicit threat of sanctions/aid restrictions that could strain bilateral security cooperation
  • Venezuela designation conflates counternarcotics with democracy promotion and regime change objectives
  • Colombia aerial eradication program raises environmental and human rights concerns
  • Bolivia designation came after expulsion of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in 2008, reflecting ongoing diplomatic friction
Presidential Determination: Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2020 · Executive Orders