Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has rejected a U.S. government designation of Venezuela as a country failing in anti-drug efforts.

Speaking Friday on state television, President Chavez dismissed the criticism, calling it "a new attack by the Yankee empire." The remark came one day after the White House released a memorandum designating Venezuela, Bolivia and Burma as countries that have failed demonstrably over the past year to abide by their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.

An International Security Assistance Forces air weapons team killed five insurgent fighters who were planning on detonating an improvised explosive device in Ghazni district, Ghazni province, Sept. 20.

"Our forces are committed toward the elimination of IEDs and those who use them to injure and kill the Afghan population," said U.S. Army Maj. Patrick Seiber, Combined Joint Task Force - 101 and Regional Command - East spokesperson. "Operations such as this have yielded success in reducing IEDs here in RC-East as our totals are down 25 percent from this time last year."

Coalition forces conducted a precision air strike in Paktiya province Sunday, killing Abdul Jabar, Haqqani Network sub-commander, who reportedly conducted improvised explosive device attacks against the Afghan people during Saturday's election.

Afghan and coalition security forces conducted more than 15 operations in seven Afghan provinces prior to and during the elections, which resulted in seven insurgent leaders captured and five killed, all of whom were actively planning attacks against the elections.

Afghan and coalition forces detained several insurgents in Kandahar province Thursday, including a Taliban commander operating in Arghandab District and Kandahar City.

The commander orchestrated and ordered attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and profited from weapons trafficking in the region.

Acting on intelligence tips, Afghan and coalition forces targeted a compound in the outskirts of Kandahar City to search for the commander. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area.

Thursday, President Obama spoke with Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta to inform him that he will be awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry at the risk of his life that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Giunta will be the first living servicemember to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The President thanked Sergeant Giunta for his service and extraordinary bravery in battle.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of a Haqqani facilitator who operates in the Musa Khel District of Khost province. Afghan and coalition forces captured the commander during an overnight operation in Khost province, Tuesday.

Afghan and coalition forces targeted a compound in a small village in Sabari District to search for the commander. Afghan and coalition forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of the Taliban deputy district commander for Dand, and another Taliban commander in charge of a kidnapping cell that targets Afghan government officials.

Afghan and coalition forces captured the commanders during an overnight operation in Kandahar province Monday.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of a Taliban commander who is a key facilitator of weapons and supplies for other Taliban commanders operating in northern Helmand.

Afghan National Army kandaks (battalions) preparing to deploy from the Kabul Military Training Center Consolidated Fielding Center will now have fully trained mortar teams to support them in battle.

Mortar teams of the 1st Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 209 Corps demonstrated their proficiency Sept. 8 during the first live mortar fire exercise held at CFC. Pvt. Ahktar Mohammad’s team shot 15 mortar rounds and scored 12 hits during the exercise.