WASHINGTON, D.C. — Trump cited cooperation with an interim government following the removal of former leader Nicolás Maduro as the basis for the decision. "In Venezuela, thanks to my Administration’s arrest and removal of former illegitimate dictator and drug trafficker Nicolas Maduro, we are already seeing the results of growing cooperation with the country’s interim government against cartels," Trump said in a statement submitted to the US Congress.

The United States abducted Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. Maduro is being tried in a New York City federal court on drug trafficking charges. The United States government is working with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez.

The administration also secured agreements for US oil companies to access resources in Venezuela. Trump described the regional shift as creating new opportunities for engagement. "Dramatic political changes in South America over the past year have created historic openings for United States cooperation with governments in the region," he said in a statement.

The Trump administration announced it was redirecting $52 million in foreign military funding towards Latin America. The $52 million in foreign military funding was redirected away from partners in Europe and the Middle East. This financial shift accompanies the diplomatic reclassification of Venezuela and potential adjustments for neighboring states.

Donald Trump praised Bolivia and Colombia for electing new conservative leaders. He stated he expects Bolivia and Colombia to ramp up efforts at coca eradication and combating narcoterrorist groups. The presidential report criticized Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Nicaragua for their efforts at combating narcotics production and trafficking.

Timeline

On September 16, 2026, Trump stated in a submission to Congress that his administration's actions were yielding results against cartels. Also on September 16, 2026, the United States indicated it is considering removing Colombia and Bolivia from its list of countries failing to combat drug trafficking, while simultaneously confirming it will keep their designations in place for the time being. The same day, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia were designated as having failed to demonstrably combat illegal drug trafficking in the presidential report, and Trump praised Bolivia and Colombia for electing new conservative leaders.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that on January 3, 2026, the U.S. conducted a 'large-scale strike' against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flying them out of the country to face criminal charges. Contextual information confirms that Donald Trump is President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025). Further documentation shows the Executive Office of the President published a presidential document titled "Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Motor Vehicles" on 2026-09-14.

Why It Matters

The removal of Venezuela from the drug trafficking failure list represents a shift in U.S. policy toward South America, occurring alongside broader regional realignments. Leaders in Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, and Colombia have aligned themselves with Trump, facilitating new cooperative frameworks such as the Shield of the Americas programme. This alliance aims to combat narcotics trafficking and other criminal activity, supported by the redirection of $52 million in foreign military funding from Europe and the Middle East to Latin America.

The decision follows the abduction and prosecution of Nicolás Maduro, an event that has enabled the U.S. to work with interim President Delcy Rodriguez and secure access to Venezuelan resources for U.S. oil companies. While Venezuela was removed from the list, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, and Colombia remain designated as failing to combat drug trafficking, though the administration is considering future removals for Bolivia and Colombia pending increased efforts in coca eradication and counter-narcotics operations.