Belize remains on U.S. list of major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries

Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2025. 5:51 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: U.S. President Donald Trump has submitted a determination to Congress identifying 23 countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug-producing countries for Fiscal Year 2026.

Belize joins The Bahamas, Haiti and Jamaica on the list from the Caribbean, with all of Central America, Mexico and countries in Asia, including the People’s Republic of China, and South America, including Colombia and Venezuela, listed.

Belize has been listed since 2011, when that year’s report stated, “Belize’s vulnerability as a south-north avenue for the illegal narcotics trade is also demonstrated by recent drug and weapons seizures in Mexico along the border it shares with Belize. United States officials also report that drug control observers in Belize are increasingly concerned about the presence of drug trafficking organizations, including Los Zetas of Mexico, in the country’s border areas and in coastal ports.” It was previously listed between 1986 and 1999, when it was removed amid reforms to the process by the U.S. Congress.

The President has designated five countries as having failed demonstrably to meet their counter-narcotics obligations: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela. The designation is based on these countries’ failure to adhere to international counternarcotics agreements and take required measures to combat drug trafficking. For instance, Colombia’s coca cultivation and cocaine production have surged to record highs under President Gustavo Petro’s leadership, while Venezuela’s regime is accused of leading one of the largest cocaine trafficking networks in the world. Recently, the U.S. has targeted Venezuelan ships participating in alleged drug trafficking.

The U.S. will work with these countries to target national security threats cooperatively and through sovereign authorities where necessary. The Trump Administration has implemented measures such as visa restrictions against family members and close associates of drug traffickers and has identified Mexico’s drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, opening new authorities to dismantle these groups using sanctions and expanded prosecution authorities.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Comments

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

More Belize News:

• 
  

  IMF concludes 2025 Article IV consultation with Belize – Belize recovered from pandemic, but slowdown ahead

• 
  

  Belize remains on U.S. list of major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries

• 
  

  Belize rejects Guatemala’s claims over Sarstoon River incidents: ‘alternative facts…distort the narrative’

The post Belize remains on U.S. list of major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2025. 5:51 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: U.S. President Donald Trump has submitted a determination to Congress identifying 23 countries as major
The post Belize remains on U.S. list of major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.