U.S. Removes Venezuela from ‘Failed’ Drug‑Control List, Signaling Policy Shift

The United States announced on Wednesday that Venezuela is no longer classified as a country that has “failed demonstrably” to meet international counternarcotics obligations, a status it had held since 2005. President Donald Trump made the declaration as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 assessment of major drug‑transit and illicit drug‑producing nations.

While the removal signals a diplomatic shift, Venezuela still appears on the broader U.S. list of 23 major drug‑transit or illicit drug‑producing countries. The change only affects the specific “failed demonstrably” designation, not the overall assessment of the nation’s role in drug trafficking.

The administration attributed the decision to “positive steps” taken by the interim government headed by Delcy Rodríguez. U.S. officials pointed to recent actions against the Tren de Aragua criminal network and the reported June death of its leader Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero, known as “Niño Guerrero,” as evidence of progress.

This policy adjustment follows a broader thaw in U.S.–Venezuelan relations after the January 2026 removal and arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro, marking a departure from decades of criticism that began when Caracas halted cooperation with the DEA in 2005.

Despite the removal, existing U.S. sanctions remain in force under the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Trump emphasized that Washington will continue to watch Venezuela’s performance closely, expecting ongoing measurable advances in dismantling criminal groups and curbing drug trafficking.