WASHINGTON (CN) - President Obama has extended for one year an executive order issued by former President Bill Clinton that freezes the assets of -- and blocks all transactions with -- known Colombian narcotics traffickers.
The order has been extended each year since 1995 when it was first issued.
Obama also has extended for a year U.S. assistance to the government of Brazil in the aerial interdiction of planes believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 1995, which authorizes logistical assistance from U.S. military and civilian forces, the president must certify yearly that aerial interdiction is necessary to the security of the U.S. and that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect innocent lives.
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