The President has identified 23 countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing nations for the 2026 fiscal year. The list includes Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
According to the determination submitted to Congress on September 15th and required by section 706(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), a country’s inclusion is not necessarily an indication of its government’s counterdrug efforts or level of cooperation with the United States. Rather it reflects factors such as geography and economics that make these countries susceptible to drug production or transit.
Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela were designated as having "failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to both adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements and to take the measures required by section 489(a)(1) of the FAA." Justifications for these designations have been provided to Congress as mandated by law. Despite this designation for some countries—Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela—the President determined that U.S. assistance remains vital to American national interests.
The statement highlights a continuing public health crisis in the United States linked to fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Opioid overdoses remain a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-44; in 2024 there was an average of over 200 deaths per day from illicit drugs.
"My Administration is deploying every aspect of American power and unprecedented resources to defeat this threat to our Nation," said the President. He noted increased use of law enforcement and military resources at U.S. borders which he claims has led to a significant decrease in overdose deaths after more than a decade.
The President also cited economic pressure on neighboring countries: "In Canada...Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by appointing a fentanyl czar and proposing legislation...but more action is needed..." In Mexico: "President Claudia Sheinbaum has increased cooperation...Mexico has surged 10,000 National Guard troops...achieved major fentanyl...seizures...transferred 29 high-value targets—including major cartel figures—to United States custody..."
He added: "This surge in Mexico’s efforts must be sustained and institutionalized. Much more remains to be done by Mexico’s government..."
New authorities have been used against Mexican cartels after their designation as foreign terrorist organizations; visa restrictions have also been implemented against associates of traffickers.
The PRC's role in supplying precursor chemicals for fentanyl production was singled out: "For too long…the PRC has enabled illicit fentanyl production…by subsidizing…precursor chemicals…failing to prevent Chinese companies from selling these precursors…" The administration imposed additional tariffs on China for failing “to enact tangible…reforms” regarding chemical exports fueling illegal narcotics trade.
Regarding Colombia: "Under President Gustavo Petro...coca cultivation and cocaine production have reached record highs while Colombia’s government failed to meet even its own vastly reduced coca eradication goals..." The President stated willingness to reconsider Colombia's status if its government takes stronger action against cocaine production.
On Venezuela: "the criminal regime of indicted drug trafficker Nicolás Maduro leads one of the largest cocaine trafficking networks in the world..."
In Afghanistan: despite announced bans by Taliban authorities on illegal drugs,"drug stockpiles and ongoing production—including expanding production of methamphetamine—have sustained the flow..."
The determination will be published in the Federal Register.
