Trump invites Colombian President Gustavo Petro to White House after military threats
President Donald Trump has invited Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the White House for talks, in a notable change of tone just days after issuing threats against Colombia over alleged drug trafficking and military concerns. The invitation was announced after the two leaders held a cordial and lengthy phone call, during which they discussed disagreements including drug issues and regional security. Trump said he looked forward to meeting Petro “in the near future” at the White House following their conversation.
The move marks a significant diplomatic shift, coming after escalated tensions in recent days when Trump had publicly accused Petro of involvement in drug production and hinted that U.S. intervention in Colombia “sounds good to me,” comments that drew strong criticism in Bogotá. Petro responded by calling for public protests and defending Colombia’s sovereignty.
Despite earlier harsh rhetoric and threats, both leaders signalled a willingness to reset relations with the forthcoming White House meeting, which has not yet been dated but reflects a diplomatic effort to ease recent strains. Observers say the invitation underscores complex U.S.–Colombia relations, shaped by longstanding cooperation on counternarcotics, as well as recent geopolitical tensions in the region.
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