U.S. releases "Majors List" for 2009
Yesterday, the White House issued the "Majors List" of narcotics source and transfer countries for 2009. Under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, the President must submit to Congress an annual report identifying (a) major drug-producing or transit countries and (b) those countries not "cooperating" with U.S. counternarcotics measures and subject to sanctions. Using the "International Narcotics Control Strategy Report" published by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) every March, the "Majors List" is compiled each year and presented to the Secretary of State for consideration before being approved by the President and sent to Congress. This year's list has no surprises or new additions - with all 20 countries on the list already appearing on the 2008 "Majors List." Also similar to last year, Venezuela and Bolivia were cited as having "'failed demonstrably' during the last 12 months to adhere to international counternarcotic agreements and take counternarcotic measures set forth in U.S. law." This is Venezuela's fifth consecutive year on this list, and Bolivia's second. Designation of a country as having "failed demonstrably" can lead to sanctions, however President Obama issued a waiver "so that the United States may continue to support specific programs to benefit the Bolivian and Venezuelan people." These programs include "civil society programs and small community development programs" in Venezuela and "continued support for agricultural development, exchange programs, small enterprise development, and police training programs" in Bolivia.