22 U.S.C. § 2291j–1 (FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE)
§ 2291j–1. International drug control certification procedures
During any fiscal year, funds that would otherwise be withheld from obligation or expenditure under section 2291j of this title may be obligated or expended beginning October 1 of such fiscal year provided that:
(1) Report
Not later than September 15 of the previous fiscal year the President has submitted to the appropriate congressional committees a report identifying each country determined by the President to be a major drug transit country or major illicit drug producing country as defined in section 2291(e) of this title.
(2) Designation and justification
In each report under paragraph (1), the President shall—
(A) designate each country, if any, identified in such report that has failed demonstrably, during the previous 12 months, to make substantial efforts—
(i) to adhere to its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements; and
(ii) to take the counternarcotics measures set forth in section 2291h(a)(1) of this title;
(B) designate each country, if any, identified under section 2291h(a)(10) of this title that has failed to adopt and utilize scheduling procedures for illicit drugs that are comparable to the procedures authorized under title II 1 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811 et seq.) for adding drugs and other substances to the controlled substances schedules;
(C) designate each country, if any, identified under section 2291h(a)(10) of this title that has not taken significant steps to prosecute individuals involved in the illicit manufacture or distribution of controlled substance analogues (as defined in section 102(32) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(32)) 2;
(D) include a justification for each country designated under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
(3) Limitation on assistance for designated countries
In the case of a country identified in a report under paragraph (1) that is designated in the report under paragraph (2)(A) or thrice designated during a 5-year period in the report under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2), United States assistance may be provided to such country in the subsequent fiscal year only if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that—
(A) provision of such assistance to the country in such fiscal year is vital to the national interests of the United States; or
(B) subsequent to the designation being made under paragraph (2)(A), the country has made substantial efforts—
(i) to adhere to its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements; and
(ii) to take the counternarcotics measures set forth in section 2291h(a)(1) of this title.
(4) International counternarcotics agreement defined
In this section, the term “international counternarcotics agreement” means—
(A) the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances; or
(B) any bilateral or multilateral agreement in force between the United States and another country or countries that addresses issues relating to the control of illicit drugs, such as—
(i) the production, distribution, and interdiction of illicit drugs;
(ii) demand reduction;
(iii) the activities of criminal organizations;
(iv) international legal cooperation among courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies (including the exchange of information and evidence);
(v) the extradition of nationals and individuals involved in drug-related criminal activity;
(vi) the temporary transfer for prosecution of nationals and individuals involved in drug-related criminal activity;
(vii) border security;
(viii) money laundering;
(ix) illicit firearms trafficking;
(x) corruption;
(xi) control of precursor chemicals;
(xii) asset forfeiture; and
(xiii) related training and technical assistance,
and includes, where appropriate, timetables and objective and measurable standards to assess the progress made by participating countries with respect to such issues.
(5) Application
(A) Section 2291j(a) through (h) of this title shall not apply during any fiscal year with respect to any country identified in the report required by paragraph (1) of this section.
(B) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (5)(A) of this section, the President may apply the procedures set forth in section 2291j(a) through (h) of this title during any fiscal year with respect to any country determined to be a major drug transit country or major illicit drug producing country as defined in section 2291(e) of this title.
(C) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), assistance to promote democracy (as described in section 2291(e)(4)(E) of this title) shall be provided to countries identified in a report under paragraph (1) and designated under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2), to the extent such countries are otherwise eligible for such assistance, regardless of whether the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with such paragraph.
(D) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), assistance to combat trafficking (as described in section 2291(e)(4)(F) of this title) shall be provided to countries identified in a report under paragraph (1) and designated under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2), to the extent such countries are otherwise eligible for such assistance, regardless of whether the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with such paragraph.
(E) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), global health assistance (as described in section 2291(e)(4)(G) of this title) shall be provided to countries identified in a report under paragraph (1) and designated under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2), to the extent such countries are otherwise eligible for such assistance, regardless of whether the President reports to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with such paragraph
(F) Nothing in this section shall affect the requirements of section 2291j of this title with respect to countries identified pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of section 2291h(a)(8)(A) of this title.
(6) Statutory construction
Nothing in this section supersedes or modifies the requirement in section 2291h(a) of this title (with respect to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report) for the transmittal of a report not later than March 1, each fiscal year under that section.
(7) Transition rule
For funds obligated or expended under this section in fiscal year 2003, the date for submission of the report required by paragraph (1) of this section shall be at least 15 days before funds are obligated or expended.
(8) Effective date
This section shall take effect September 30, 2002, and shall remain in effect thereafter unless Congress enacts subsequent legislation repealing such section.
(Pub. L. 107–228, div. A, title VI, § 706, Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1424; Pub. L. 109–177, title VII, § 722(c), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 269; Pub. L. 117–81, div. F, title LXVI, § 6610(d), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2448.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Controlled Substances Act, referred to in par. (2)(B), is title II of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1242, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 801 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21, Food and Drugs. Title II of Pub. L. 91–513 does not itself contain a title II, but it does contain a part B, with provisions relating to controlled substance schedules, which is classified generally to part B (§ 811 et seq.) of subchapter I of chapter 13 of Title 21. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of Title 21 and Tables.
heading: Codification
text: Section was enacted as part of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, and also as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, and not as part of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 which comprises this chapter.
heading: Amendments
text: 2021—Par. (2). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(1)(A), struck out “also” before dash at end of introductory provisions.
Par. (2)(B). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(1)(D), added subpar. (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (D).
Par. (2)(C). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(2), added subpar. (C).
Par. (2)(D). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(1)(B), (C), (E), redesignated subpar. (B) as (D) and substituted “designated under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)” for “so designated”.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(3), substituted “designated in the report under paragraph (2)(A) or thrice designated during a 5-year period in the report under subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2)” for “also designated under paragraph (2) in the report” in introductory provisions.
Par. (5)(C) to (F). Pub. L. 117–81, § 6610(d)(4), added subpars. (C) to (E), redesignated former subpar. (C) as (F), and substituted “clause (i) or (ii) of section” for “section clause (i) or (ii) of”.
2006—Par. (5)(C). Pub. L. 109–177 added subpar. (C).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 effective 90 days after Dec. 27, 2021, see section 6610(e) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out as a note under section 2291 of this title.
heading: Definitions
text: For definition of “appropriate congressional committees” as used in this section, see section 3 of Pub. L. 107–228, set out as a note under section 2651 of this title.
heading: Executive Documents
heading: Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2024
text: Determination of President of the United States, No. 2023–12, Sept. 15, 2023, 88 F.R. 66673, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 706(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) (FRAA) [22 U.S.C. 2291j–1(1)], I hereby identify the following countries as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
A country’s presence on the foregoing list is not necessarily a reflection of its government’s counterdrug efforts or level of cooperation with the United States. Consistent with the statutory definition of a major drug transit or major illicit drug producing country set forth in sections 481(e)(2) and 481(e)(5) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (Public Law 87–195) (FAA) [22 U.S.C. 2291(e)(2), (5)], the reason countries are placed on the list is the combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that allow drugs to be transited or produced, even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control and law enforcement measures.
The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117–263) [see Tables for classification] amended the definition of major drug source countries to include source countries of precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs significantly affecting the United States. For countries with large chemical and pharmaceutical industries, preventing precursor chemicals from being diverted to the production of illicit drugs is a particularly difficult challenge, including for the United States and other countries with strict regulatory regimes to prevent diversion. The PRC has been identified as a major source country due to this change in legislation, and the United States strongly urges the PRC and other chemical source countries to tighten chemical supply chains and prevent diversion.
Pursuant to section 706(2)(A) of the FRAA, I hereby designate Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela as having failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months to both adhere to their obligations under the international counternarcotics agreements and to take the measures required by section 489(a)(1) of the FAA [22 U.S.C. 2291h(a)(1)]. Included with this determination are justifications for the designations of Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela, as required by section 706(2)(B) of the FRAA. I have also determined, in accordance with provisions of section 706(3)(A) of the FRAA, that United States programs that support Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela are vital to the national interests of the United States.
Although the rate of drug overdose deaths in the United States is flattening after years of sharp increases, more than 109,000 lives were lost to drug overdoses in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This remains unacceptably high, and my Administration is deploying unprecedented resources and building new partnerships to confront this public health and security crisis. Domestically, in the last fiscal year alone, the United States allocated more than $24 billion to expand evidence-based prevention and treatment, including harm reduction and recovery support services, with targeted investments to meet the needs of populations at greatest risk for overdose and substance use disorder. Beyond these additional resources, my Administration expanded access to Naloxone, which can reverse opioid-related overdoses, and made this life-saving medicine available over-the-counter. My Administration has also removed barriers to treatment, including by working with the Congress on bipartisan legislation. My Fiscal Year 2024 Budget calls for an even greater historic investment of $46.1 billion for National Drug Control Program agencies, a more than $2 billion increase from what was enacted during the previous year. This request also includes significant investments in reducing the supply of illicit drugs originating from beyond our borders.
The vast majority of illicit drugs causing the most damage in the United States originate from beyond our borders, and our most effective means of reducing the availability of these drugs is to expand and improve our cooperation with international partners. Most drug overdose deaths within the United States involve illicit synthetic drugs and particularly synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. These synthetic drugs can be produced anywhere using precursor chemicals widely available for legitimate purposes, at a fraction of the cost and time it takes criminal organizations to produce dangerous drugs from plants.
Every country and region of the globe faces its own challenges from synthetic drugs. In Africa, the synthetic opioid tramadol is driving increasing numbers of injuries and fatalities, especially when mixed with other drugs. In the Middle East, synthetic stimulants are trafficked and sold as counterfeit captagon in large quantities. Ketamine—a synthetic anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects—is increasingly encountered throughout Asia, and it is being found mixed with methamphetamine, which appears to be growing more prevalent and more potent all over the world. And the categories of synthetic drugs are constantly shifting, as drug traffickers adjust formulas to avoid international controls and domestic regulations to create new demand. More than 1,100 new psychoactive substances and designer drugs have been detected and reported to the United Nations over the past decade alone.
To confront this common challenge, the United States launched this past summer a new Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. This diverse coalition of countries and international organizations will share best practices and expand cooperation to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, detect emerging drug threats and use patterns, and promote public health interventions to prevent and reduce drug use and promote recovery. The United States welcomes all like-minded governments to participate in the work of this coalition and join efforts against these rapidly evolving global threats.
The political commitment of our international partners remains critical to achieving success against illicit drug threats, and no country is more important than Mexico. Under the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities, our two countries have cooperated to seize greater volumes of fentanyl and other drugs. We have worked successfully during the last year to improve law enforcement collaboration, prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals, and arrest key organized crime figures involved in drugs and firearms trafficking, migrant smuggling, and other criminal activity. Sadly, some of these arrests resulted in the loss of lives of Mexican officials, and their sacrifices underscore the shared commitment from both countries to do what is necessary to fight these criminal organizations. To that end and to build on the increased cooperation of the past year, both countries should continue strengthening law enforcement information sharing and collaboration; build capacity to detect and counter drug production and trafficking and diversion of chemicals and drug-related equipment; and improve mechanisms to monitor, prevent, and treat drug substance use disorders.
With our key partners in South America, the United States will continue to support ongoing efforts to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine production, expand access to justice, and promote alternative livelihoods. Colombia has historically been a strong partner in the fight against the drug trade. Nevertheless, illicit coca cultivation and cocaine production remain at historically high levels, and I urge the Government of Colombia to prioritize efforts to expand its presence in coca-producing regions and achieve sustainable progress against criminal organizations. In Bolivia, I encourage additional steps by the government to safeguard the country’s licit coca markets from criminal exploitation, reduce illicit coca cultivation that continues to exceed legal limits under Bolivia’s domestic laws for medical and traditional use, and continue to expand cooperation with international partners to disrupt transnational criminal networks.
Afghanistan has been removed from the list of countries determined to have “failed demonstrably” due to progress made within that country over the past year in reducing the cultivation of opium poppy and production of illicit narcotics. However, I remain concerned by the continuation of the illicit drug trade within and originating from Afghanistan, including methamphetamine. The country’s drug control efforts must be sustained and expanded to include meaningful steps against drug trafficking and the drug supply chain, including by eliminating illicit drug stockpiles and curbing methamphetamine production. I will reconsider Afghanistan’s status during the next annual review based on whether these additional steps are taken, in keeping with Afghanistan’s international drug control commitments and in full respect for the human rights of its people.
You are authorized and directed to submit this designation, with the Bolivia, Burma, and Venezuela memoranda of justification, under section 706 of the FRAA, to the Congress, and to publish this determination in the Federal Register.
J.R. Biden, Jr.
Prior identifications of major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries were contained in the following:
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2022–23, Sept. 15, 2022, 87 F.R. 58251.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2021–13, Sept. 15, 2021, 86 F.R. 52819.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2020–11, Sept. 16, 2020, 85 F.R. 60351.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2019–22, Aug. 8, 2019, 84 F.R. 44679.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2018–12, Sept. 11, 2018, 83 F.R. 50239.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2017–12, Sept. 13, 2017, 82 F.R. 45413.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2016–10, Sept. 12, 2016, 81 F.R. 64749.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2015–12, Sept. 14, 2015, 80 F.R. 57063.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2014–15, Sept. 15, 2014, 79 F.R. 56625.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2013–14, Sept. 13, 2013, 78 F.R. 58855.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2012–15, Sept. 14, 2012, 77 F.R. 58917.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2011–16, Sept. 15, 2011, 76 F.R. 59495.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2010–16, Sept. 15, 2010, 75 F.R. 67019, 68413.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2009–30, Sept. 15, 2009, 74 F.R. 48369.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2008–28, Sept. 15, 2008, 73 F.R. 54927.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2007–33, Sept. 14, 2007, 43 Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents 1216, Sept. 24, 2007.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2006–24, Sept. 15, 2006, 71 F.R. 57865.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2005–36, Sept. 14, 2005, 70 F.R. 56807.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2004–47, Sept. 15, 2004, 69 F.R. 57809.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2003–38, Sept. 15, 2003, 68 F.R. 54973.
Determination of President of the United States, No. 2003–14, Jan. 30, 2003, 68 F.R. 5787.
heading: Presidential Determination on Waiving a Restriction on United States Assistance to Bolivia Under Section 706 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003
text: Determination of President of the United States, No. 2020–05, Jan. 6, 2020, 85 F.R. 6731, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 706(3)(A) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) (FRAA) [22 U.S.C. 2291j–1(3)(A)], I hereby determine that the provision of United States assistance to Bolivia in Fiscal Year 2020 is vital to the national interests of the United States.
You are authorized and directed to submit this determination, with its memorandum of justification, under section 706 of the FRAA, to the Congress, and to publish it in the Federal Register.
Donald J. Trump.