Pakistan, China, India among nations flagged by Trump in 23-country drug list

President Donald Trump compiled a list of 23 countries identified as significant drug transit or production nations in his annual presidential determination submitted to Congress. Notably, Venezuela was removed from the list of countries deemed to have "failed demonstrably" to meet international counternarcotics obligations. The Trump administration cited renewed security cooperation with Venezuela and measures targeting transnational criminal groups as reasons for the country's removal.

Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma and Colombia were designated as failing to make substantial efforts to meet their international counternarcotics obligations over the past 12 months. Bolivia faced persistent illicit coca cultivation and institutional challenges, while Colombia was given hope that its pledged eradication efforts could lead to progress in the coming year.

India received praise for its efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply-chain controls under the US-India Drug Policy Framework. President Trump acknowledged Prime Minister Modi's government's commitment to addressing illicit opium production and synthetic drug issues in the South Asian nation.

Trump also criticized Myanmar and Afghanistan for continued opium cultivation and synthetic drug production. In a broader criticism, he urged Canada and Mexico to intensify efforts against cross-border trafficking and organized criminal networks. No immediate reaction was reported from the countries listed in the presidential determination.