US waives sanctions against Colombia

Washington, Feb 27: Citing gains in Colombia’s war on drugs, the US Government has decided to waive two-year old sanctions against that country, government officials said today.

Waiver of the sanctions means that there will be fewer impediments to US assistance to Colombia’s anti-drug efforts. Colombia also will be spared economic penalties for the coming year.

The officials spoke hours before the public release of formal administration evaluations of the anti-narcotics performances of 30 foreign countries.

Most of the 30 were expected to be “certified” as fully cooperating with US anti-narcotics efforts. The officials, asking not to be identified, said the administration has decided to recertify Mexico, ignoring the objections of many in Congress.