New York [US], September 17: The United States has officially named Colombia as a country which has "demonstrably failed" to uphold its obligations to control drug trafficking.
Each year, the US government formally certifies whether several countries are fully co-operating with US-led counternarcotic efforts, and those which are found to be wanting risk having their US funding cut.
On Monday, the Trump administration said that cocaine production in Colombia had surged to all-time high records under its left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, which the Colombian leader denied.
However, the US said it would not cut off the flow of aid to the country, citing "US national interests" for its decision.
The other countries the US said had failed to meet their targets were Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar and Venezuela.
Colombia was added to the list for the first time since 1997. The move is likely to further sour relations between its left-wing government and the Trump administration. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
