The flow of illicit drugs in Venezuela significantly increased in 2009 and the country "has failed demonstrably to make sufficient efforts to meet its obligations under international counternarcotics measures," the US Department of State said on Monday.

The return of ambassadors to Caracas and Washington gives an "opportunity" to improve cooperation, the US Department of State added.

According to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) introduced on Monday by the US Department of State, a "permissive and corrupt environment" in Venezuela has made it "one of the preferred routes for trafficking illicit narcotics out of South America." As a result, "the trafficking of drugs has increased the level of corruption, crime and violence in Venezuela," DPA quoted.

Based on the annual report, "seizures of all illicit drugs within Venezuela increased from 40 metric tons in 2008 to 60.2 metric tons in 2009." However, "this is far below the 2005 peak of 152 metric tons when the United States and the government of Venezuela cooperated fully in counternarcotics activities."

In addition, "seizures of drugs transiting from Venezuela to other countries, including to the United States and the United Kingdom, rose steadily in 2009."

"The lack of greater counternarcotics cooperation reflects the general chilling of bilateral relations over the past few years," the report stated. "Given the refusal of the government of Venezuela to expand cooperation," US President Barack Obama "determined in 2009 (…) that Venezuela failed demonstrably to adhere to its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements."