Archive · 17 Sep 2026
U.S. Drops Venezuela From Drug List, Trump May Remove Colombia
The United States keeps a list of countries it says are not doing enough to fight illegal drugs.
President Donald Trump said Venezuela was taken off that list.
Venezuela had been listed since 2005.
Trump said the United States is working with Venezuela’s interim government.
He said this cooperation has produced results.
One result he mentioned was the killing of a Tren de Aragua leader known as “Niño Guerrero.”
Trump also said Colombia might be removed in the future.
He said Colombia must first make progress against coca production and drug-trafficking networks.
President Donald Trump said the United States removed Venezuela from its list of countries that failed to combat illegal drug trafficking.
Venezuela had been on the list since 2005, marking more than 20 years of designation.
Trump attributed the change to cooperation with Venezuela’s interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.
He cited the killing of Tren de Aragua leader “Niño Guerrero” as one result of that cooperation.
Trump said Colombia could be removed if it makes progress on coca eradication and dismantling narcoterrorist networks.
- Who
- The United States, President Donald Trump, Venezuela’s interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, and Colombia.
- What
- The United States removed Venezuela from its list of countries judged to have failed demonstrably to combat illegal drug trafficking; Trump said Colombia may also be removed.
- When
- Trump announced the decision on Wednesday, September 16; Venezuela had been listed since 2005.
- Where
- The decision concerned Venezuela and Colombia and was published in a presidential determination by the United States Department of State.
- Why
- Trump said cooperation with Venezuela’s interim government was producing results, including the killing of the Tren de Aragua leader known as “Niño Guerrero.”
- Policy action
- The United States removed Venezuela from its “failed demonstrably” drug-control list.
- Length of Venezuela’s designation
- Venezuela had been on the list since 2005.
- Venezuela’s interim government
- The government is led by Delcy Rodríguez, described as Nicolás Maduro’s former deputy.
- Cited result
- Trump cited the killing of Tren de Aragua leader “Niño Guerrero.”
- Possible Colombia action
- Trump said he may lift Colombia’s status if it makes progress over the coming year.
- Colombia’s conditions
- Trump cited aggressive coca eradication and dismantling narcoterrorist networks.
- Announcement source
- The presidential determination was published by the United States Department of State.
