ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

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

This determination certifies that Colombia meets statutory requirements for U.S. drug interdiction assistance, specifically allowing support for intercepting aircraft suspected of illicit drug trafficking in Colombian airspace. The certification requires Colombia to have procedures protecting against innocent loss of life, including warning protocols before use of force.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 55107

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register and congressional notification

Key directives

  • Certify Colombia meets requirements for drug interdiction assistance under 22 U.S.C. 2291-4
  • 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 directed to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Continued U.S. drug interdiction assistance to Colombia

Risks & tensions

  • Implicit tension between drug interdiction effectiveness and protection of innocent life; vague 'effective means to identify and warn' standard leaves operational discretion to Colombia without specific U.S. verification mechanism
Presidential Determination: Continuation of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Colombia · Executive Orders