Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica is again among countries which have been listed by the United States as major drug transit territory.

The designation was made by US President Joe Biden in his Memorandum on Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for the fiscal year 2024.

Several other Caribbean states including The Bahamas, Belize, Dominican Republic and Haiti are also among the 22 named in the memorandum, which President Biden indicated is not necessarily a reflection of respective governments’ counter drug efforts or level of cooperation with the United States. 

The other countries identified are Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

Reasons for placement on the list

The White House explained that the reason countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to be transited or produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control and law enforcement measures.

However, President Biden was quick to point out that “the vast majority of illicit drugs causing the most damage in the United States originate from beyond our borders, and our most effective means of reducing the availability of these drugs is to expand and improve our cooperation with international partners.”

Biden stated that China has been identified as a major source country due to this change in legislation. He is strongly urging China and other chemical source countries to tighten chemical supply chains and prevent diversion. 

Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela’s failings

Pursuant to section 706(2)(A) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), Biden designated Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela as “having failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to both adhere to their obligations under the international counter-narcotics agreements and to take the measures required by section 489(a)(1) of the FRAA.”

He said included with this determination are justifications for the designations of Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela, as required by section 706(2)(B) of the FRAA.  

Biden has also determined, in accordance with provisions of section 706(3)(A) of the FRAA, that United States programs that support Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela are “vital to the national interests of the United States.” 

He acknowledged that the vast majority of illicit drugs causing the most damage in the United States originate from beyond its borders arguing that the most effective means of reducing the availability of these drugs is to expand and improve America’s cooperation with international partners.

With key partners in South America, Biden said the United States will continue to support ongoing efforts to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine production, expand access to justice, and promote alternative livelihoods.