Canada (Commonwealth Union)_ In a new White House memo, President Joe Biden recognized Jamaica, together with other Caribbean countries, as being amid chief drug transit or major illicit drug-manufacturing countries for the Fiscal Year 2024.
Among these countries are The Bahamas, Haiti, Belize, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
Other countries identified are Bolivia, Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Costa Rica, El Salvador, India Guatemala, Ecuador, Honduras, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Panama, and Venezuela.
In spite of these designations, Biden highlighted that presence on the list does not essentially signify a lack of counter-drug efforts by the individual governments.
He added that countries are registered based on a mix of economic, geographical, and commercial influences that permit for drug transport or production.
This comes after fresh adjustments to the description of chief drug source countries to comprise those producing substantial precursor chemicals for illegal drugs, as per the James M. Inhofe National Defense Agreement Act for Fiscal Year 2023.
One of the exclusive encounters faced by countries with vast chemical and pharmaceutical segments, as Biden points out, is controlling precursor chemicals that might be sidetracked for illegal drug production. This challenge is not limited to the listed countries but is also joined by the United States and others with strict regulatory systems.
The new change in regulation has directed to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) being recognized as a main source country.
Biden stressed the requirement for the PRC and other chemical source nations to strengthen chemical supply chain regulations and avoid diversion.
Conferring to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (FRAA), Burma, Bolivia, and Venezuela have been pointed out by Biden for not obeying to international counternarcotics pacts during the past year.
Biden provided explanations for these designations and distinguished that the support plans for these nations by the United States are vital for the nation’s welfare.
Biden recapped the importance of international association in restricting drug threats, saying, “The immense majority of illicit drugs instigating the most harm in the United States initiate from outside our borders, and our most effective means of reducing the accessibility of these drugs is to develop and advance our collaboration with international partners.”
He added, “The political obligation of our international partners remains perilous to attaining success against illicit drug threats.”
Conversing relations with South American countries, Biden stated that ongoing U.S. sustenance for efforts to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine manufacture will expand access to fairness in these regions.
Singling out Colombia, Biden admired its significant role as a substantial partner in fighting the drug trade but voiced fears over the intensifying coca cultivation and cocaine manufacture levels.
He urged Colombia to strengthen its existence in coca-producing regions and challenge criminal organizations.
Biden also addressed Bolivia, influenced its government to defend its authentic coca markets, limit illicit coca cultivation, and support international partnerships to dismantle international criminal networks.
