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 Other Presidential Documents United States Government. The role and status of the DEA in Venezuela remains in limbo since the host country refuses to sign a memorandum of understandin9 authorizing Dru9 Enforcement Administration presence, even after successfully concluding a lengthy process of negotiation with U.S. officials. Venezuela also has not signed a.letter of agreement that would make nearly $3 million from FY 2005 available for United States Government cooperative counternarcotics efforts. Last year Venezuela was found to have "failed demonstrably" as a partner in \177he war on drugs, in part because it ended most air interdiction cooperation, refused to grant U.S. counternarcotics overflights of Venezuela, curtailed most military and law enforcement counternarcotics cooperation, replaced its most effective counternarcotics officials, and failed to effectively implement its own money laundering and or9anized crime legislation. All of these issues remain outstanding in 2006. The United States is very concerned about the continued deterioration of democratic institutions in Venezuela as reflected in the increased executive control over the other branches of government, threats to judicial independence and human rights, and attacks on press f\177eedoms and freedom of expression. A vital national interests certification will allow the United States Government to provide funds that support programs to aid Venezuela's democratic institutions, establish selected community development projects, and strengthen Venezuela's political party system. 311

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