US President Donald Trump announced on 9/1 that he looks forward to meeting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House during the first week of February. Trump expressed confidence that the meeting would yield positive outcomes for both the US and Colombia, emphasizing the need to stop "cocaine and other drugs" from entering the US.

The upcoming meeting follows a period of strain between the two nations. Tensions escalated after the US military launched an operation in Venezuela on 3/1, leading to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump then stated that a campaign against Colombia "sounded reasonable."

President Petro speaks in the capital Bogota on 13/11/2025. Photo: AFP

President Petro speaks in the capital Bogota on 13/11/2025. Photo: AFP

Trump also criticized President Petro directly, accusing the Colombian leader of "engaging in actions of concern, preferring to produce cocaine and sell it to the US." President Petro quickly retorted, stating, "Mr. Trump, stop slandering me," and criticized the US operation in Venezuela, arguing that the action lacked basis in law. The Colombian president has not yet commented on the announced meeting.

The situation saw some de-escalation after a phone call between the two leaders on the evening of 7/1. However, in a subsequent media interview, President Petro described the scenario of US military action against Colombia as "a threat."

Colombia and the US are key military and economic allies in the region, yet their relations have recently become strained. Since the start of his second term last year, Mr. Trump has frequently clashed with Mr. Petro over issues such as tariffs and migration policies.

Nhu Tam (Reuters, AFP)