ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationClinton · D

Presidential Determination

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

President Clinton issued a determination under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 to resume U.S. assistance for Colombia's interdiction of aircraft suspected of illicit drug trafficking. The determination certifies that drug trafficking poses an extraordinary threat to Colombia's national security and that Colombia has adequate procedures to protect innocent life during interdiction operations.

Federal Register 59 FR 64835
No PDF available for this document.

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication by Secretary of State

Key directives

  • Determine that interdiction of aircraft reasonably suspected of illicit drug trafficking in Colombian airspace is necessary due to extraordinary threat
  • Certify that Colombia has appropriate procedures to protect against innocent loss of life, including effective means to identify and warn aircraft before use of force
  • Authorize and direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination takes effect upon signing, authorizing resumption of interdiction assistance

Near term (90d)

  • Federal Register publication by Secretary of State

Long term

  • Ongoing counter-narcotics air interdiction operations in Colombia

Risks & tensions

  • Innocent loss of life risk inherent in aerial interdiction operations
  • Sovereignty concerns regarding U.S. involvement in Colombian airspace operations
  • Certification of Colombian procedures relies on U.S. assessment of foreign compliance standards
Presidential Determination: Resumption of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Colombia · Executive Orders