Trump Holds First Phone Call with Colombia’s President Petro, Extends White House Invitation
After a period of rising tensions and public threats, the US and Colombian leaders agree to reset dialogue and plan a Washington meeting
US,Jan 08 : Days after US President Donald Trump suggested that military action against Colombia “sounds good to me,” he said on Wednesday that arrangements are underway for talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House, following their first direct phone call since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Petro called to discuss drug trafficking and other disputes between the two countries, describing their conversation as respectful. “It was a great honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had,” Trump wrote. “I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future.” Preparations for the meeting, to be held at the White House, are being coordinated between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombia’s foreign minister, although no date has yet been announced.
Petro confirmed the call, characterising it as “cordial” and saying he had requested the restoration of direct dialogue between the two governments. Speaking to supporters in Bogotá, he said the phone conversation lasted more than an hour.
Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been strained since Trump’s return to the presidency, with Trump repeatedly accusing Petro’s administration without presenting evidence of enabling cocaine trafficking into the United States. In October, the US imposed sanctions on Petro, and in September revoked his visa after he participated in a pro‑Palestinian demonstration during the UN General Assembly in New York.
Over the weekend, Trump intensified his rhetoric, referring to Petro as “a sick man” and alleging that Colombia operates “cocaine mills and factories.” When asked aboard Air Force One whether the US would consider a military operation in Colombia, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me.”
The remarks followed a high‑profile US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, drawing sharp criticism from Petro and others in the region. Petro has vehemently denied the drug trafficking allegations and said Colombia would resist any attack on its sovereignty. “For the homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want,” he wrote on X
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry has said it remains committed to relations “based on dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect,” adding that threats or the use of force between states are unacceptable.
