Colombian President Gustavo Petro Reaches Out to Trump: Phone Call Sparks Upcoming White House Meeting

Washington: In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Colombian President Gustavo Petro personally called him, prompting an invitation to the White House. The development comes after a period of sharp verbal exchanges between the two leaders, signaling a notable shift in diplomatic tone.

Trump told the media that he had a cordial conversation with Petro, who contacted him to clarify differences regarding drug trafficking and other bilateral issues. Speaking on the Truth Social platform on Wednesday night, Trump said, “It was a great honor to speak with President Gustavo Petro of Colombia. He called to explain his position on drug trafficking and our other differences. I look forward to meeting him soon at the White House.”

Strong Opposition to U.S. Action in Venezuela
Petro’s outreach follows his vocal criticism of U.S. military action in Venezuela, where American forces recently captured President Nicolás Maduro. Petro condemned the operation as a blatant violation of Latin American sovereignty and an attempt to subjugate a neighboring nation—a rare rebuke from a country that has long been a key U.S. ally in the region.

Over the past three decades, Colombia has cooperated closely with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking, counter insurgent groups, and promote rural economic development. Petro’s fierce stance against U.S. military threats, however, escalated tensions between him and Trump, culminating in large-scale protests across Colombia calling for resistance against the intervention.

Verbal Clash Turns to Diplomatic Gesture
Colombians were expecting Petro to deliver a new speech criticizing Trump. Instead, the president surprised the public by extending a hand of friendship to the U.S. leader. Addressing a crowd in Bogotá, Petro stated, “I had prepared a speech for today, but I now need to deliver a different message. Minutes ago, I spoke with President Trump and clarified our commitment to fight drug trafficking. I have requested that our governments resume direct dialogue.”

Both leaders’ statements suggest that despite past disagreements and harsh rhetoric, there is a willingness to engage in direct diplomatic talks. The upcoming White House meeting is expected to focus on drug trafficking, regional security, and improving bilateral cooperation between the two countries.