BOGOTA, Colombia – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he won't rule out decertifying Colombia as a partner in the drug war after a record jump in cocaine production in the South American nation.
The surprise rebuke for Washington's staunchest ally in Latin America came in the White House's annual designation of nations it deems major drug producing or transit zones.
Of the 22 nations on the list, only Venezuela and Bolivia were deemed not to be fulfilling their international obligations to combat drug production and trafficking.
In a statement, Trump said he "seriously considered" adding Colombia to the list of negligent countries but decided against that due to the country's status as a strong security partner of the U.S.
Coca production in Colombia has surged more than 200 percent since 2013.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
