2015 Presidential Determination for Major Drug Producing and Transit Countries

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 14, 2015

Under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), the President is required each year to notify Congress of those countries he determines to be major illicit drug producing countries or major drug-transit countries that “significantly affect the United States.” This year’s list consists of 22 countries: Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. 

A country’s presence on the list does not necessarily reflect its counternarcotics efforts or its level of cooperation with the United States on illegal drug control. The designation can reflect a combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to be produced and/or trafficked through a country.

When a country on the list does not fulfill its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements and conventions, the President determines that the country has “failed demonstrably” to meet its counterdrug obligations. Such a designation can lead to sanctions. The President may also execute a National Interest Waiver of the designation when he determines there is a vital national interest in continuing U.S. assistance. 

Of the aforementioned 22 on the 2015 list, the President has determined that Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela “failed demonstrably” during the last twelve months to make sufficient or meaningful efforts to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements. In accordance with provisions of the FRAA, the President has also determined that support for programs to aid the promotion of democracy in Burma and Venezuela remains vital to the national interest of the United States and therefore grants Burma and Venezuela National Interest Waivers.