Venezuela

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While President Trump claimed in late 2025 that maritime drug trafficking in the Caribbean had ceased, security experts and recent reports indicate the trade is adapting rather than collapsing:

Adaptation and Rerouting: Traffickers have shifted routes toward southern Venezuela, neighboring Guyana, and Suriname to avoid U.S. naval strikes. They are increasingly using "narco subs" to transport large loads directly to Europe.

Impact of Maduro's Capture: Following the U.S. raid on Caracas and the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, analysts noted that while the "architect" of the previous system was removed, the underlying infrastructure and corrupt networks (such as the Cartel of the Suns) remain largely intact.
Current Trafficking Status (Early 2026):

Volume: Approximately 250 metric tons of cocaine continue to transit through Venezuela annually, representing about 10–13% of global production.

Primary Destinations: Most cocaine passing through Venezuela is bound for Europe and other international markets, rather than the United States, which receives the majority of its supply via Pacific routes and Mexico.

Control: Regional groups like the Tren de Aragua (TdA) and Colombian rebels (ELN/FARC) continue to manage storage and exit routes despite the change in
national leadership.

Seizures: Venezuelan authorities reported seizing roughly 3.9 million doses of illicit substances in the first half of 2025, a slight increase over 2024 levels before the major U.S. intervention.

Experts caution that as long as Venezuela remains adjacent to major cocaine-producing regions like Colombia, it will likely continue to serve as a key transit hub regardless of political shifts.