USA says Venezuela is dragging its heels in the US war on drugs

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 02, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The US State Department says Venezuela has been dragging its heels this year on narcotics control.  In its annual certification report to Congress, the State Department admits that political instability in Venezuela has diverted President Hugo Chavez Frias’ attention away from the war on drugs.

The Venezuelan government has not eliminated any poppy fields last year because of the political situation and the report hints that transshipments through Venezuela has increased.

“The Venezuelan government has concentrated its anti-drugs efforts on distribution, sale and transport of drugs ... which has reached around 150 tonnes per year.”

The report praises the Venezuelan government’s cooperation as “very good” but states that there have been accusations that it has turned a blind eye to integrating activities, such as money laundering.