Trump Identifies 23 Countries as Major Drug Transit and Production Hubs; India, China, and Pakistan Among Them
US President Donald Trump has submitted a Presidential Determination to the US Congress, officially naming 23 countries as either major transit hubs for illicit drugs or as nations heavily involved in the production of such substances.
The list includes several Asian and South American countries, as well as nations in Central America and the Caribbean. Prominent among them are China, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan — all of which remain critical in the global drug trafficking map due to their geographic, economic, and commercial positions.
The other countries named are: The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma (Myanmar), Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
“Failed Demonstrably” Nations Identified
In a sharp assessment, President Trump specifically designated Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela as countries that had “failed demonstrably” during the past year to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.
These nations, according to the report, also failed to implement adequate domestic measures to curb drug trafficking and production.
However, the Presidential Determination clarified that simply being named on the list was not necessarily a reflection of a country’s lack of cooperation with the United States.
Instead, it explained that the inclusion of nations was influenced by a complex mix of geographic positioning, commercial opportunities, and economic vulnerabilities that make them natural conduits for drug trafficking, regardless of their enforcement efforts.
India’s Counter-Narcotics Success
The announcement comes at a time when India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been making headlines for its aggressive international enforcement efforts.
In a recent operation, conducted in coordination with multiple domestic and global agencies, the NCB successfully dismantled a transnational drug trafficking syndicate that spanned four continents.
The criminal network reportedly used encrypted digital platforms, drop-shipping methods, and cryptocurrency payments to smuggle controlled pharmaceutical substances across India, the United States, Australia, and Europe.
The breakthrough came during what initially appeared to be a routine vehicle interception near Delhi’s Bengali Market, which eventually unraveled a highly sophisticated drug cartel with global linkages.
US Embassy Thanks India
In recognition of these efforts, the US Embassy in India publicly thanked the NCB and Indian enforcement authorities for their role in curbing the spread of illegal narcotics. Thanks to NCB and Indian authorities for helping protect Americans against illegal drugs and saving American lives!” the Embassy stated.
This acknowledgment underscores the growing strategic cooperation between India and the United States in combating global narcotics networks, even as Washington continues to name countries — including India — in its wider counter-narcotics watch list.
Global Drug Threat Still Looms Large
President Trump reiterated the United States’ commitment to defeating the menace of illegal drugs, both domestically and globally.
The annual Presidential Determination serves as both a warning and a policy marker, reflecting Washington’s intent to engage more deeply with international partners while also demanding greater accountability from nations seen as high-risk zones for narcotics trafficking.
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