FINGERPOINTING: Trump Names Caribbean Nations as Illicit Drugs Producers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has named four Caribbean community (CARICOM) countries as major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries.

President Donald Trump in his “Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2020”, named The Bahamas, Belize, Haiti and Jamaica.

The other countries named by Trump are Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,  Honduras, India,  Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

In his statement, Trump noted that a country’s presence on the foregoing list is not necessarily a reflection of its government’s counter narcotics efforts or level of cooperation with the U.S.

He said his administration has devoted unprecedented resources to combating the scourge of illicit drugs in the U.S., which includes strengthening the U.S. borders and expanding programs to prevent illicit drug use and aid the recovery and treatment of those who need it.

“We are making steady progress to turn the tide of our country’s drug epidemic, but more needs to be accomplished,” the president’s declaration stated.

“This includes further efforts beyond our nation’s borders, by governments of countries where dangerous illegal drugs originate.”