BOGOTÁ / WASHINGTON — Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Wednesday that he will travel to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 3 in a bid to address rising diplomatic tensions and ongoing cooperation on regional security issues.
The upcoming meeting — the first in‑person summit between the two leaders since Trump returned to office — comes amid a volatile period in US‑Colombia relations, highlighted by sharp rhetoric, sanctions and disagreement over the United States’ military strategy in Latin America.
Talks to Focus on Drug Trafficking, Security and Regional Stability
Petro told ministers in a publicly broadcast cabinet session that combating drug trafficking will be a central topic of discussion during his visit. Petro said the dialogue aims to reduce tension between Bogota and Washington and reaffirm long‑standing cooperation in areas of mutual concern.
Trump and Petro recently spoke by phone for over an hour, a conversation that marked a temporary easing of strained ties after months of heated exchanges over policy and accusations. Trump had previously criticized Petro’s government and even threatened military action against Colombia in late 2025, though relations appeared to calm following diplomatic outreach.
Context: A Fractured Relationship
Relations between the two countries have historically been strong, especially in areas such as anti‑narcotics cooperation and military support. However, tensions grew after the US‑led operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in late December, drawing condemnation from Petro and other Latin American leaders.
In recent months, Trump’s administration also imposed sanctions on Petro and members of his family over alleged connections to drug trafficking — accusations the Colombian president has vehemently denied.
Analysts say the upcoming February meeting could be a turning point in bilateral relations if both sides focus on areas of cooperation such as counternarcotics efforts, border security and economic ties. The White House has not yet released a detailed agenda for the talks, but both governments have signaled a willingness to engage constructively after a period of diplomatic strain.
