Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela failed to meet international norms in anti-narcotics in 2012, according to the US State Department International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), released this week. The report determined that these three countries “failed demonstrably” to improve their efforts in combating the production and transport of narcotics.

The INCSR noted Bolivia’s failure to adopt a number of UN controls on coca cultivation, transport, and sale, and  further criticized a reduction in Bolivia’s interdiction capabilities following the 2009 expulsion of DEA personnel. A combination of Bolivian failures and Colombian successes means that, for the first time since 1995, Bolivia is now producing more cocaine than its continental companion.

The INCSR conceded that Bolivia had taken some steps towards narcotics control, and expressed a desire to continue and build upon ongoing cooperation. Despite that limited success, however, Bolivia has made a “negligible contribution” to the global fight against narcotics, the report concluded.

Venezuela faces a different set of challenges. Unlike Bolivia, a key production center for narcotics, Venezuela’s largest role is as a transit route out of the continent. Border security shortcomings, especially along the extensive Colombia border, exacerbate the problem, the INCSR states. Despite promising steps, including increased Venezuelan-Colombian cooperation on anti-trafficking and extraditions of wanted criminals to countries to stand trial, continued high-level political corruption and involvement in drug trafficking hamstrings Venezuela’s ability to tackle its drug problem, the report adds.

Burma remains the second largest source of illegal opium poppy in the world, according to the INCSR. In addition to opium production, Burma’s role in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine pills and other stimulants increased sharply. Burma’s position as a major player in the supply of synthetic drugs to South Asia has occurred in spite of increased efforts by the government to curtail the production of illicit substances. The inadequate nature of Burma’s counter-narcotics efforts is linked to a lack of resources for the program, and is worsened by the ethnic tensions that continue in the nation, according to the INCSR. The report concludes that increased operational effort and funding, as well as resolution of ethnic tensions are key to Burma’s future success.

Under US law, nations judged as having “failed demonstrably” to meet their counter-narcotics responsibilities face a freeze of US aid. However, Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela will be spared this fate because of their importance to US national interests. A Presidential exemption for just such cases will allow them to continue to receive aid.

https://reportingproject.net/occrp/index.php/en/ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/1873-us-state-department-drug-report-highlights-anti-narcotics-shortcomings