Moreno Statement on President Trump’s Decertification of Colombia

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) released the following statement on President Trump's decertification of Colombia for refusal to cooperate in the fight against illicit drugs.

"President Trump made the correct decision in decertifying Colombia as a counternarcotics partner. I applaud his leadership and the hard work Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau have put in to reach this decision. Unfortunately, President Petro's naivety has made a bad situation worse in Colombia's fight against narcotrafficking and, as a result, the United States has been flooded with deadly drugs, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans every year," said Senator Moreno.

"Despite Colombia's failed leadership, President Trump has kept the door open for important collaboration with the Colombian military and national police to support our ongoing war on drugs and future leadership that will actually stand up to the narcotraffickers. America appreciates the sacrifices made by the people of Colombia in helping to fight drug trafficking and will continue to provide military aid. But Colombia cannot prosper as long as an illicit economy overwhelms the nation. Where cocaine grows, so grows corruption. I continue to be very optimistic about Colombia's future and am confident that our relationship will only get stronger," Senator Moreno continued.