Venezuela to fully block drug transit through its territory — Maduro

There are no coca plantations or drug laboratories in Venezuela, and drug trafficking through the country will soon be completely eradicated, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Venezolana de Television, Report informs via TASS.

"According to reports from the UN and several countries, which accurately reflect the real situation and have been verified by experts, Venezuela has no coca plantations or cocaine laboratories. We will soon completely block the transit of drugs," Maduro said.

The Venezuelan leader pointed out that about 87% of South America's cocaine is transported across the Pacific Ocean from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, while another 8% moves through the Caribbean coast of Colombia's La Guajira department. Only 5% passes through Venezuelan territory - and authorities intercept and seize roughly 70% of that amount.

Maduro added that in recent years, "402 aircraft used for drug trafficking have been neutralized," stressing that Venezuela is determined to completely eliminate the transit of drugs across its territory.