On 7/1, President Trump announced on social media that he had spoken with Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The call, initiated by Petro, aimed to address the drug situation and existing disagreements between their nations. "I was honored to speak with Colombian President Gustavo Petro when he called to explain the drug situation and the disagreements between our two sides. I appreciate his call and his attitude, and I look forward to meeting him soon," Trump wrote.

Trump also confirmed plans for a White House meeting with President Petro. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and acting Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio are currently arranging the visit, though no specific details or a timeline have been released.

President Trump at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Florida, on 3/1. *Photo: AP*

President Petro acknowledged the conversation, noting it was their first phone call since Trump assumed the presidency. Addressing supporters in Bogota, Petro stated, "I proposed that our two countries resume dialogue."

This invitation comes after a period of significant strain between the two allies. Just days earlier, on 4/1, President Trump had publicly commented that a US military operation targeting Colombia "sounds good." He had also sharply criticized President Petro, accusing him of "taking concerning actions, enjoying producing cocaine and selling it to the US."

In response to earlier allegations, President Petro had retorted, "Trump, stop slandering me." He also strongly condemned a US-led raid and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, asserting that the operation lacked legal basis.

Despite their historical role as important military and economic allies in the region, relations between Colombia and the US have recently grown tense. Since the beginning of his second term last year, Trump has frequently clashed with Petro over issues such as tariffs and migration policy.

Further underscoring the friction, in 10/2025, the US imposed sanctions on President Petro. The US alleged he facilitated the expansion of drug gang operations in Colombia, an accusation Petro denied. He, in turn, condemned US military raids on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

By Nguyen Tien (According to CNN, AFP, Reuters)