The Bush administration placed Bolivia and Venezuela on its annual counternarcotics blacklist. Along with Myanmar, those countries have “failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements,'' according to a letter submitted to Congress by President George W. Bush. White House officials also cited Bolivian president Evo Morales’ limited backing of coca growth and Venezuela’s “weak judicial system.”Despite blasting counternarcotics efforts in Bolivia and Venezuela the U.S. will not cut aid to either country. The White House issued a “national security waiver” in order to support Venezuela's "democratic institutions" and "bilateral programs" in Bolivia.
Taking time from trying to calm a votaile situation with the opposition, Morales said today that the U.S. was trying to “blackmail” Bolivia:
“There should be a certification process for those who are fighting drug trafficking by eliminating the consumer market,'' Morales, 48, said during a speech in La Paz. ``Drug trafficking responds to the market”...
“These are political decisions,'' Morales said. “We're not afraid of these campaigns against the government using black lists.''
Even if Bolivia’s counternarcotics record isn’t spot-on, Morales is correct to point out that the drug trade is not a one-way street were consumers aren’t held accountable. Lists like the one issued yesterday tend to be politicized and serve to target regimes the U.S. is having problems with.
Image- BBC News (Cocaine uncovered in a 2000 raid in Venezuela)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Bloomberg, Voice of America, AP, Times of India, AFP
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