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Tuesday, Feb 03, 2026
Outside the box.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro Arrives at White House for High-Stakes Meeting with Donald Trump
Historic summit seeks to mend strained US-Colombia ties and prioritise cooperation on narcotics, migration and regional security
Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, has arrived in Washington and is set to meet with United States President Donald Trump at the White House in a highly anticipated summit that could reshape bilateral relations after months of tension and public disagreements.
The visit — the first direct meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to office — follows a series of diplomatic clashes last year over issues ranging from deportation flights and drug policy to divergent international positions.
Petro’s trip reflects an effort to recalibrate ties with Washington, which have been strained by repeated exchanges of criticism and policy disputes.
Relations hit a low point in early 2025 after Petro refused landing rights for U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombians, prompting a diplomatic standoff that was resolved quickly but left lingering mistrust.
More recently, the United States revoked Petro’s visa amid a heated exchange over narcotics trafficking and security cooperation, and Trump publicly used sharp language to criticise the Colombian leader.
Despite their fraught history, both governments have signalled a readiness to prioritise constructive dialogue.
Colombian officials describe the meeting as an opportunity to “strengthen relations” and reset a partnership long guided by shared strategic interests in counternarcotics efforts and regional stability.
Washington’s agenda for the talks is expected to focus on collaborative approaches to curb drug trafficking — a priority for Trump’s administration amid soaring coca cultivation in Colombia — along with discussions on migration and security cooperation involving neighbouring countries.
Diplomatic analysts view the encounter as a pivotal moment that could ease bilateral tensions if both sides find common ground on practical issues.
While substantive disagreements remain, especially over policy framing and national sovereignty, preparatory discussions and recent outreach suggest a mutual interest in preventing further deterioration of relations.
Public statements from both capitals emphasise the significance of the summit in advancing long-standing cooperation and addressing complex shared challenges.
The visit — the first direct meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to office — follows a series of diplomatic clashes last year over issues ranging from deportation flights and drug policy to divergent international positions.
Petro’s trip reflects an effort to recalibrate ties with Washington, which have been strained by repeated exchanges of criticism and policy disputes.
Relations hit a low point in early 2025 after Petro refused landing rights for U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombians, prompting a diplomatic standoff that was resolved quickly but left lingering mistrust.
More recently, the United States revoked Petro’s visa amid a heated exchange over narcotics trafficking and security cooperation, and Trump publicly used sharp language to criticise the Colombian leader.
Despite their fraught history, both governments have signalled a readiness to prioritise constructive dialogue.
Colombian officials describe the meeting as an opportunity to “strengthen relations” and reset a partnership long guided by shared strategic interests in counternarcotics efforts and regional stability.
Washington’s agenda for the talks is expected to focus on collaborative approaches to curb drug trafficking — a priority for Trump’s administration amid soaring coca cultivation in Colombia — along with discussions on migration and security cooperation involving neighbouring countries.
Diplomatic analysts view the encounter as a pivotal moment that could ease bilateral tensions if both sides find common ground on practical issues.
While substantive disagreements remain, especially over policy framing and national sovereignty, preparatory discussions and recent outreach suggest a mutual interest in preventing further deterioration of relations.
Public statements from both capitals emphasise the significance of the summit in advancing long-standing cooperation and addressing complex shared challenges.
