Presidential Determination on Continuation of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Colombia

This determination certifies that Colombia meets statutory conditions for U.S. assistance in interdicting aircraft suspected of illicit drug trafficking, continuing a program that permits the Colombian government to shoot down suspected drug planes. The Secretary of State must publish the determination in the Federal Register and notify Congress.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 51975

Impact dates

Aug 17, 2006
Secretary of State to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Key directives

Certify Colombia meets conditions for aerial interdiction assistance
Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register
Secretary of State to notify Congress of this determination

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Certification takes effect upon signing
Secretary of State authorized to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Continued U.S. drug interdiction assistance to Colombia
Ongoing aerial interdiction program with shoot-down authority

Risks & tensions

Shoot-down authority carries risk of innocent loss of life despite certification of warning procedures
Certification relies on self-reported Colombian procedures without specified verification mechanism
Statutory requirement for 'effective means to identify and warn' is vague and not defined in determination