US President Donald Trump has held a phone conversation with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, following a period of heightened tensions between the two leaders. The call marked a shift towards a more conciliatory tone, after a recent escalation in their war of words.
The conversation took place in the wake of the US commando raid on Caracas, which resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump had previously imposed sanctions on Petro and revoked his visa, labeling him an “illegal drug leader” after the Colombian president denounced US strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean.
According to Trump, Petro called to discuss the situation regarding drugs and other disagreements between the two countries. Trump described the call as a “Great Honor” and expressed appreciation for Petro’s tone, stating that he looked forward to meeting him in the near future. The US president also announced that arrangements were being made for Petro to visit the White House.
Petro, who had requested the direct communication, told a rally in Bogota that the call was their first conversation since his election as president in 2022. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating that without it, there would be war. The Colombian president also wrote on social media that he had proposed US investment in clean energy projects in Latin America, rather than seeking access to oil reserves, which he believed would lead to the destruction of international law and potentially even World War III.
The tensions between Trump and Petro had been ongoing, with the US president accusing the Colombian leader of being involved in drug trafficking. However, Petro has consistently maintained that fighting cartels is his top priority and has overseen the largest seizure of cocaine in world history. He has also condemned the US raid on Venezuela, describing it as an “abhorrent” violation of sovereignty.
The US operation, which resulted in Maduro and Flores being brought before a US court on drug-trafficking and weapons charges, has been widely condemned by several South American countries, as well as Russia and China. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges of US-Latin America relations, with Petro’s proposed shift towards clean energy investment representing a potential alternative to the region’s historical reliance on oil.
