# US drug non-compliance designation for Venezuela

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-drug-non-compliance-designation-for-venezuela
> Updated: 2026-09-16T16:40:18.000Z. Sources: 50. Developments: 2.

The United States government has removed Venezuela from its list of countries that have ‘demonstrably failed’ to meet international anti-narcotics obligations in the fiscal year 2027 Presidential Determination. This decision follows the removal of Nicolás Maduro and the rise of an interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.

The Trump administration cited increased cooperation in combating criminal organizations, specifically noting the neutralization of Niño Guerrero, leader of the Tren de Aragua, as a factor in this shift. While Venezuela is no longer classified as non-compliant with drug control commitments, it remains on the broader list of major drug transit and production countries due to geographic and economic factors.

Other nations, including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar, and Colombia, continue to be designated as having failed to fulfill their international drug control commitments. Regarding Colombia, the administration indicated that the country could potentially be removed from the non-compliance list in the future if the government under Abelardo De La Espriella demonstrates measurable progress in dismantling criminal networks and eradicating coca crops.

The report also highlighted El Salvador, Argentina, and Ecuador as key allies in narcotics and narcoterrorism efforts, while urging Canada and Mexico to intensify measures against the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

## Claims

- President Donald Trump removed Venezuela from the list of countries that have demonstrably failed to meet international drug control obligations. (corroborated by 24 sources)
- The removal of Venezuela from the non-compliance list is attributed to cooperation from the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez. (corroborated by 24 sources)
- Venezuela remains on the U.S. list of major drug transit or production countries. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The decision was included in the Presidential Determination on major drug transit or production countries for fiscal year 2027. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- The U.S. administration cited the elimination of Niño Guerrero, leader of the Tren de Aragua, as evidence of cooperation. (corroborated by 18 sources)
- Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia remain on the list of countries that have failed to meet drug control obligations. (corroborated by 18 sources)
- The US identified 23 countries as major drug transit or production nations for fiscal year 2027. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Venezuela remains on the list of major drug transit or production countries despite being removed from the 'failed demonstrably' list. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The U.S. Embassy in Caracas announced a donation of medical equipment and supplies to Venezuelan hospitals valued at $750,000. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The US administration called for increased efforts from Mexico and Canada to prevent the flow of illicit substances. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Venezuela removed from U.S. drug non-compliance list

President Donald Trump removed Venezuela from the U.S. list of countries failing to meet drug control obligations, citing increased cooperation with Delcy Rodríguez’s interim government.

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-removes-venezuela-from-drug-trafficking-non-compliance-list

### 2026-09-16: US drug transit report removes Venezuela from failure list

The US has released its 2027 drug transit and production report, removing Venezuela from the list of countries failing anti-drug obligations while designating 23 nations as major transit or production hubs.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-identifies-23-countries-in-annual-drug-transit-and-production-report

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Cite as: US drug non-compliance designation for Venezuela. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-drug-non-compliance-designation-for-venezuela