Colombian President Gustavo Petro is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House in early February, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral issues, including drug trafficking. The meeting, scheduled for February 3, was announced by Petro during a cabinet meeting, where he described the talks as “decisive.”
The meeting will be the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office. The announcement comes after a phone call between the two presidents, during which they discussed Colombia’s efforts to address drug trafficking and other issues. Trump had previously accused Petro of being involved in drug trafficking and threatened military action against Colombia.
Tensions between the US and Colombia have been escalating, with Washington increasing pressure on Latin American countries to address narcotics and security concerns. Trump has singled out Petro, imposing sanctions on him and revoking his visa last year after the Colombian leader condemned US strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean. Petro has responded by condemning Trump’s “illegal threats” and threatening to take up arms in defense of his country.
The meeting between Petro and Trump is significant, given the current tensions between the two countries. The US has been critical of Colombia’s efforts to address drug trafficking, while Colombia has accused the US of violating its sovereignty. The situation has been further complicated by the recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by US commandos, which Petro has described as an “abhorrent” violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
The upcoming meeting between Petro and Trump is expected to address these issues and potentially ease tensions between the two countries. Petro has expressed his intention to ensure that Colombians are not affected by the tensions and can feel at ease. The meeting will be closely watched, given the potential implications for regional stability and US-Colombia relations.
The US has been increasing its pressure on Latin American countries to address security concerns, and the meeting between Petro and Trump will be seen as a key test of the relationship between the two countries. With the meeting scheduled to take place in early February, all eyes will be on the White House as the two leaders engage in what Petro has described as “decisive” talks.
