WASHINGTON, Jan 09 — U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will host Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House during the first week of February, marking a notable shift from recent tensions between the two leaders.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed optimism about the upcoming talks, stating: “I look forward to having a meeting with Gustavo Petro, the President of Colombia, in the White House, during the first week of February. I am sure it will work out very well for Colombia, and the U.S.A., but, cocaine and other drugs must be STOPPED from coming into the United States.” Arrangements for the visit are being coordinated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombia’s Foreign Minister, according to the announcement.
The announcement follows a phone call between the two presidents on Wednesday, described by Trump as a “Great Honor” in which Petro explained “the situation of drugs and other disagreements.” Trump praised Petro’s tone during the conversation, signaling a thaw after months of sharp criticism.
Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been strained since Trump’s return to office, with the U.S. president repeatedly accusing Petro of enabling cocaine production and trafficking into the United States. Trump has referred to Petro as a “sick man” who oversees “cocaine mills and factories,” and earlier this week suggested military action against Colombia “sounds good” amid broader regional pressures.
Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, responded defiantly to the threats, calling on Colombians to defend national sovereignty and warning of potential popular resistance. In an interview with Spanish newspaper El País published Friday, Petro revealed that during their earlier exchanges, Trump indicated U.S. forces were preparing “bad things” in Colombia, including a potential military operation. He described the Wednesday call as having “frozen” the threat, though he cautioned he could be mistaken. Petro drew parallels to the fate of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas on January 3, 2026, during Operation Absolute Resolve, and flown to the United States to face narco-terrorism charges (multiple reports, including The New York Times and Reuters, January 3-9, 2026).
Petro emphasized Colombia’s limited air defense capabilities but stressed the importance of popular mobilization in any defensive scenario. He expressed concern over the broader implications for Latin American leaders who do not align with certain U.S. interests.
The planned February meeting comes amid heightened U.S. focus on curbing drug flows from Latin America, following the dramatic U.S. intervention in Venezuela that removed Maduro and placed the country under increased American influence. Analysts view the Petro-Trump dialogue as an attempt to de-escalate tensions and prioritize counternarcotics cooperation, despite ideological differences.
No specific agenda details have been released beyond drug trafficking, but the encounter could address migration, trade, and regional security. The White House has not commented further on the timing or format of the visit.
This development reflects a pragmatic pivot in U.S. diplomacy toward Colombia, shifting from confrontation to dialogue at a time of volatility in the hemisphere. Whether the talks yield concrete progress on narcotics remains to be seen, but the invitation represents a temporary easing of a once-escalating crisis.
