Washington/Bogotá, January 9, 2026 – In a surprising diplomatic pivot, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has invited Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House for a meeting in the near future, just days after issuing stark warnings of potential military action against Colombia over alleged failures to curb drug trafficking.
The invitation came after the two leaders' first direct phone conversation since Trump assumed office in January 2025. Trump described the hour-long call as productive in a post on his Truth Social platform, stating: "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. I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future." He added that arrangements were being coordinated for the visit.
Petro, addressing supporters at a rally in Bogotá shortly after the call, confirmed the discussion focused on drug policy, Venezuela, and re-establishing direct communication channels between the two governments. He noted that he had initially prepared a more confrontational speech but adjusted it following the "cordial and respectful" conversation, emphasizing that dialogue could prevent escalation into conflict.
This development marks a rapid de-escalation from heightened tensions that peaked over the weekend. Following the U.S. special forces operation on January 3 that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas—bringing them to New York to face narco-terrorism charges—Trump extended his rhetoric to Colombia. On Sunday, aboard Air Force One, Trump labeled Colombia "very sick" and run by a "sick man" who "likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," accusing Petro without evidence of personal involvement in drug trafficking. When pressed on the possibility of military intervention in Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me."
These comments prompted a fierce response from Petro, a former M-19 guerrilla fighter. On Monday, he declared on social media and in public statements that he was prepared to "take up arms again" to defend Colombia's sovereignty, despite having sworn off violence after a 1989 peace accord. Petro convened emergency diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and Organization of American States, while calling for nationwide protests on Wednesday to defend national sovereignty. Thousands rallied in Bogotá and other cities, chanting against U.S. intervention.
Colombia's deputy foreign minister and other officials warned that U.S. military actions in the region risked a broader "catastrophe" in Latin America. Petro condemned the Venezuela operation as an "abhorrent" violation of sovereignty, comparing it to historical aggressions.
Underlying the recent flare-up are longstanding strains in U.S.-Colombia relations under Trump's second term. Historically close allies—with Colombia as a major non-NATO partner receiving substantial U.S. military aid—the ties have deteriorated amid disputes over drug policy. In September 2025, the U.S. decertified Colombia as fully cooperating in counternarcotics efforts for the first time in decades, slashing aid. In October, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife Verónica Alcocer García, his son Nicolás Petro Burgos, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of enabling drug cartels to flourish.
Despite these measures, Colombian officials highlight Petro's administration has seized record amounts of cocaine, countering U.S. claims of inaction. The phone call appears to have opened avenues for renewed cooperation, with reports indicating agreement on joint actions against groups like the ELN guerrilla organization involved in drug smuggling along the Venezuela border.
Analysts describe the shift as pragmatic diplomacy amid mutual interests in regional stability and counternarcotics. While no specific date has been set for the White House meeting, both sides expressed optimism. Petro stressed the need for partnership beyond resource extraction, warning against viewing Latin America solely through an oil or drug lens. Trump, meanwhile, has framed his hemispheric policies as asserting U.S. influence to combat threats like narco-terrorism.
The episode underscores volatile dynamics in Western Hemisphere relations under Trump, who has also revived territorial claims on Greenland and issued warnings to other nations. For now, the Petro-Trump dialogue has averted immediate crisis, but observers caution that deep-seated disagreements over drug eradication strategies, migration, and sovereignty could resurface.
As Latin American leaders watch closely, the upcoming meeting could signal either a reset in bilateral ties or further tests of endurance for one of Washington's key regional partnerships.
