The Clinton administration is expected to announce this week a list of countries that have been uncooperative in fighting illegal drug trafficking. Such a blacklist carries enormous weight because US economic sanctions may follow.

Two countries in particular have received sharp scrutiny this past year — Colombia and Mexico. The Colombian government of President Ernesto Samper is expected to face decertification while the Mexican government is likely to escape sanctions, despite revelations of high-level government complicity in drug trafficking.