Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited the White House on 3/2, meeting with President Donald Trump for about two hours. The White House did not hold a grand reception, unlike for some other foreign leaders, and media were not allowed to attend the meeting.

When asked if the two leaders reached an agreement to stop the flow of drugs from Colombia, Trump stated that both sides are working on the issue. "We are working on the problem together and are very harmonious. He and I are not necessarily close friends, but I don't feel offended because I had never met him before and didn't fully understand him," the U.S. president said.

Petro posted a photo on social media of the two leaders shaking hands and smiling, accompanied by a message seemingly handwritten by Trump that read, "Gustavo - Great honor - I love Colombia".

"What I perceived or saw through the media, which seemed to conflict with my views, did not appear in the White House meeting. I believe those differences exist more with other officials, not with Trump," President Petro stated.

President Petro (left) and President Trump at the White House on 3/2. *Photo: Office of the President of Colombia*

He asked President Trump for assistance in arresting notorious drug lords residing outside Colombia. Additionally, he wanted the U.S. leader to mediate a diplomatic dispute between Colombia and neighboring Ecuador.

President Trump agreed to call his Ecuadorian counterpart, Daniel Noboa, an ally of his.

Trump's relationship with Petro, who was elected Colombian president in 2022, has been volatile in recent months. In 10/2025, Trump accused President Petro of being a "drug lord," without providing evidence. Last month, the U.S. president raised the possibility of military action against Colombia for not controlling drug trafficking.

President Petro also repeatedly criticized Trump, stating that U.S. raids on suspected drug boats at sea were "war crimes," and describing the operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as an "abduction."

Last month, both leaders expressed positive attitudes after a phone call during which Trump invited Petro to the White House. Trump told reporters on 2/2 that President Petro had recently changed his tone, implying that the Colombian leader was more amenable after a U.S. raid in Venezuela.

Analysts believe regional security would face severe impacts if U.S. and Colombian leaders do not maintain long-term harmony.

Colombia leads the world in coca production, the main ingredient for cocaine, and hosts several organizations listed as terrorist by the U.S. However, the nation is also one of Washington's most steadfast allies in the region, having cooperated closely to prevent the flow of drugs into the U.S.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters)