The United States has highlighted Argentine government policies to fight drug trafficking

This week, the US State Department sent Congress, as it does every year, the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), covering 2018. The report badyzes the efforts and commitments of the governments of the United States. United States. reduce the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs worldwide, as well as methods of combating money laundering related to drug trafficking.

During the period 2018, US authorities identified 22 countries as producers or transit points for drugs. Of these, 17 are Latin American countries. In addition to Venezuela and Bolivia, countries accused by the United States of failing to comply with "its obligations under international agreements against drug trafficking" indicated the following countries: Afghanistan , Bahamas, Belize, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama and Peru.

With regard to Argentina, the report highlights a series of policies implemented by the government of Cambiemos. "The security cooperation of the United States and Argentina has been strengthened under the administration of President Mauricio Macri, the Ministry of Security has adopted better US police practices, which strengthen the criminal intelligence efforts of collaboration between federal and provincial forces through inter-institutional working groups ".

In another part of the document, the country is referred to as a "transshipment point" for cocaine destined for European markets and other international destinations, although "domestic cocaine processing and consumption" is a "source". concern".

In addition, US authorities have indicated that the deployment of "federal forces in major urban areas in response to public safety concerns is reducing the resources available to fight smuggling at the border."

According to the INCSR, "Venezuela is one of the preferred routes for illicit drug trafficking, primarily cocaine, from South America to the Caribbean, Central America, the United States. United States, West Africa and Europe ".

In the same vein, the State Department spoke of the "weak" justice system in Venezuela, as well as the "permissive and corrupt environment" that reigns at the top of the Chavez regime. "Public corruption, even among senior officials, is a major problem in Venezuela, which facilitates the smuggling of illicit drugs to drug trafficking organizations."

The report presents Bolivia as an "important transit zone for Peruvian cocaine", where the cultivation of this drug has increased steadily. "The US government has estimated that coca cultivation has increased by 3%, from 36,500 in 2015 to 37,500 hectares in 2016".

So, production has doubled in the last decade, according to US State Department records. While it has increased by 8% to 275 metric tons from 2015 to 2016.