Washington, Jan 8,2026: Days after US President Donald Trump suggested that military action against Colombia “sounds good,” Trump said Wednesday that arrangements are underway for talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House, following a phone call between the two leaders.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Petro called to discuss drug trafficking and other disputes between the two countries, marking their first direct conversation since Trump returned to office in January 2025and the recent military operation in Venezuela.
“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.”
Trump said preparations are being coordinated between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Colombia’s foreign minister, adding the meeting will take place at the White House, though no date has been announced.
Petro confirmed the call, describing it as “cordial”, and said he requested the “restoration of direct dialogue between the two governments”. Speaking to supporters at a rally in Bogotá, Petro said the conversation lasted more than an hour.
Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been tense since Trump’s return to the presidency. Trump has repeatedly accused 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 joined 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 an operation in Colombia, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me.”
The remarks come after a US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who was flown to the United States and are facing trial on drug and weapons charges.
The Trump administration has carried out more than 30 strikes since September against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, operations that have killed at least 110 people.
Petro pushed back against Trump’s charges, saying Colombia would resist any attack. “For the homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want,” Petro wrote on X, while denying any links to drug trafficking and calling Trump’s allegations false.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry 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.
