Overview
- The U.S. Presidential Determination issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, kept Mexico on a 23‑country list of major transit or production states while praising increased seizures, lab dismantling and expanded police and military deployments.
- The document explicitly urged Mexico to expose, arrest and prosecute public officials who aid or protect cartels and said current Mexican security spending is insufficient to sustain anti‑cartel campaigns.
- Washington pressed Mexico to tighten supply‑chain integrity by involving private industry and sharply increasing inspections at entry points to stop diversion of chemicals and shipments used to make fentanyl and other synthetics.
- The Determination removed Venezuela from the narrower 'failed demonstrably' category, crediting cooperation under interim president Delcy Rodríguez and citing recent operations against the Tren de Aragua, including the June removal of leader Niño Guerrero.
- Colombia remained decertified but the White House said it may reconsider if the new De La Espriella government shows measurable progress against coca cultivation and narcoterrorist networks, a move that links future U.S. assistance to clear performance benchmarks.