United States President Donald Trump has invited Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House, marking a sharp shift in tone after days of heightened tension and public threats between the two leaders over alleged drug-related issues.
The invitation came shortly after Trump and Petro held their first direct phone conversation since Trump returned to office in January. According to reports, the call lasted about an hour and appeared to open the door for de-escalation following a turbulent period in US–Colombia relations.
Relations between Washington and Bogotá deteriorated earlier this month in the wake of a surprise US military operation in Venezuela. The operation, carried out over a weekend, targeted strategic military installations in Caracas and resulted in the removal of long-time Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The action sent shockwaves across the region and raised concerns among neighboring countries about the possibility of further US military interventions in Latin America.
In the aftermath of the Venezuela operation, Trump publicly issued a stark warning to Petro on January 3, telling him to “watch his ass” while accusing the Colombian president—without providing evidence—of involvement in drug trafficking. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One shortly afterward, Trump suggested that Colombia could also face military pressure, saying that a similar intervention “sounds good to me” when asked about the possibility. He later imposed financial sanctions on Petro and members of his family, further deepening the diplomatic rift.
However, the atmosphere appeared to change on Wednesday, January 7, following the phone call between the two leaders. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Petro had reached out to discuss concerns surrounding drug trafficking and other areas of disagreement between their governments. Trump described the conversation as constructive, noting that he appreciated Petro’s approach and was optimistic about future engagement.
“I appreciated his call and tone, and I look forward to meeting him in the near future at the White House,” Trump said, adding that preparations were already underway, although no specific date has been announced.
Petro later confirmed the planned meeting and said he intended to attend, despite the recent exchange of threats and sanctions. Earlier in the week, the Colombian leader had struck a confrontational note, declaring that he was prepared to “take up arms” if Colombia were attacked. He later told supporters at a rally that he had initially planned to deliver a strongly worded speech against the United States but chose to moderate his message after speaking with Trump.
According to Petro, the call provided an opportunity to push for renewed diplomatic engagement. He said he urged both governments to reopen direct lines of communication between their presidents and foreign ministries, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mauricio Jaramillo, cautioned that the US military action in Venezuela could have serious repercussions across the region. In an interview, he warned that continued escalation could spiral into a “catastrophe” for Latin America as a whole.
Despite the recent standoff, Colombia and the United States share a long-standing relationship rooted in military cooperation, trade, and regional security efforts. Observers say the proposed White House meeting could prove to be a crucial step toward calming tensions and preserving a strategic partnership that has endured for decades.
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