Belize, El Salvador added to drugs blacklist

US President Barack Obama has added Belize and El Salvador to a blacklist of countries considered major producers or transit routes for illegal drugs.



Officials said cartels are using the two Central American nations as routes for smuggling cocaine from South America to Mexico and the US.



In total, 22 countries were included on the drugs blacklist.



Analysts said the inclusion of Belize and El Salvador on the list reflects the growing influence of Mexico's powerful drugs cartels.