President Trump announced on Wednesday that he would be meeting with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro. In a Truth Social post, the president thanked President Petro for reaching out to him despite past conflicts between them and expressed his hope for a productive meeting.
“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,” President Trump said. “I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future. Arrangements are being made between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Foreign Minister of Colombia. The meeting will take place in the White House in Washington, D.C.”
The conciliatory phone call and proposed meeting between the two leaders come amid heightened tension following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump recently expressed harsh criticism towards Petro for Colombia’s role in the South American drug trade. On January 4, 2026, when speaking to reporters, the president called Petro a “sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”
President Petro denied President Trump’s allegations that he is involved with drug trafficking. “I am not illegitimate, nor am I a narco,” Petro said. “My bank statements have been published. No one could say that I have spent more than my salary. I am not greedy.” Petro likewise responded to President Trump’s statements regarding potential military action in Colombia, saying he did not want conflict and would “take up arms” if necessary.
Following President Trump’s announcement, Petro confirmed the meeting in a post on X and indicated his willingness to work with the president for the good of both countries. Petro stated his goals to discuss both energy policy and peace between South American countries and the U.S.
“This is Historic,” Petro said. “We will talk with Trump about the Peace of the Continent, about sovereignty, about a Pact for Life based on clean energies. The US energy matrix can be decarbonized if the potential of South America’s clean energies becomes a reality.”
