U.S. President Barack Obama has extended special measures against Colombian drug trafficking until 21 October 2010.
President Obama has extended "national emergency" measures against Colombian drug trafficking, reported newspaper El Espectador.
In a message to Congress, Obama said the actions of Colombian drug traffickers "continue to threaten national security, foreign policy and the economy of America." Furthermore, they "cause an extreme level of violence, corruption and damage in the U.S. and abroad."
This is the first time that Obama has extended the special measures by a year; they were imposed by an executive order of President Bill Clinton on 21 October 1995 and have since been routinely extended. The order will continue in force until 21 October 2010, when pending President Obama's review, they will be extended once again.
The measure blocks all property and interests in the U.S. and its territories of nationals and foreigners who play a major role in Colombian drug trafficking.
In August, Obama extended United States aid to a program of aerial intervention, which is aimed at civil aircraft suspected of being involved in the illicit drug trade.
