In a recent presidential determination published in the Federal Register, the United States has included Venezuela among the countries identified as “major producers or transit countries for illegal drugs.” This list, which also mentions Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, and Afghanistan, is based on geographical and commercial factors that facilitate drug trafficking, though it does not necessarily imply a lack of cooperation.
However, in the case of Venezuela, Washington was explicit:
“The criminal regime of Nicolás Maduro, accused of drug trafficking, leads one of the largest cocaine trafficking networks in the world.”
The White House confirmed that it will continue to prosecute Maduro and members of his “complicit regime” for drug trafficking offenses.
A “Demonstrable Failure”
The presidential document, based on Section 706 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), designates Venezuela —along with Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar, and Colombia— as countries that have “demonstrably failed” to meet their international drug control obligations over the past 12 months.
This designation opens the door to sanctions, assistance restrictions, and new punitive measures, although the president also noted that, for national interest reasons, the U.S. will continue to allocate resources to combat these criminal networks in said countries.
Tren de Aragua in the Crosshairs
The presidential determination directly mentions the Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan mega-gang with transnational presence:
“The United States will continue to target Venezuelan foreign terrorist organizations like the Tren de Aragua and purge them from our country.”
This is one of the toughest statements made by a U.S. president regarding the international expansion of the Tren de Aragua, elevating it to the level of a national security threat.
Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis in the U.S.
The presidential statement reminds that transnational drug trafficking —particularly fentanyl and synthetics— is already the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 44, averaging over 200 deaths daily in 2024. The administration claims to be using “all the instruments of American power” to combat this crisis.
Key Points to Understand the Impact on Venezuela
Enhanced Sanctions: The designation strengthens U.S. capabilities to act against officials, financiers, and support networks for Venezuelan drug trafficking.
International Isolation: It reinforces the narrative of Venezuela as a “narcostate” in multilateral forums.
Judicial Future: It could accelerate proceedings in U.S. courts against Maduro and high-ranking members of chavismo.
Pressure on Criminal Organizations: The explicit inclusion of the Tren de Aragua indicates that the U.S. plans more aggressive actions against the mega-gang.
This new designation by the U.S. not only reaffirms the image of Venezuela as a hub for transnational drug trafficking but also heightens pressure on Maduro’s regime and associated criminal organizations. For Washington, curbing the flow of cocaine and other drugs from Venezuela is not just a matter of foreign policy but a national security and public health issue.