The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to combat drug trafficking by employing economic measures against non-cooperative producer countries and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy released a document outlining the administration's goals and priorities, marking the beginning of an evaluation of national anti-drug policies of producer countries, including Colombia. The evaluation will conclude in September with the U.S. President either certifying or decertifying these countries based on their anti-drug efforts.
President Trump has designated eight cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations due to their involvement in illicit drug trafficking and threats to U.S. security. This designation grants the administration enhanced counterterrorism authorities to target these networks. The administration's strategy includes decreasing overdose deaths, preventing drug use, providing treatment for addiction, and reducing the global flow of illicit drugs.