Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday he was optimistic about a White House meeting with President Trump scheduled for Feb. 3, marking a significant diplomatic shift after months of hostility. The optimism comes after the United States revoked Petro’s visa and imposed sanctions on him and his family in September over what he characterized as unproven drug-trafficking allegations.
The diplomatic thaw signals a potential reset in U.S.-Latin American relations at a moment when the Trump administration is weighing intervention against drug trafficking. Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, and the two nations have long been at odds over how to address the problem.
Signs of De-escalation
Signs of de-escalation emerged in early January when Trump called Petro. In response, Petro called back to explain Colombia’s position on drug policy and other disagreements.
Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a cordial call Friday to finalize preparations. According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Rubio confirmed that Petro would receive full diplomatic guarantees—a reversal from September, when Washington had threatened to revoke his visa.
“The talks are going well,” Petro said Friday on X, as Colombia’s foreign ministry announced preparations for the meeting.
Meeting Agenda
According to both governments, the Feb. 3 meeting will focus on trade, joint economic opportunities, and regional security. The talks will also address intensifying the fight against transnational organized crime.
Persistent American Concerns
Despite the diplomatic warming, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Locetta signaled ongoing American concerns when she addressed the United Nations Security Council on Friday, saying that Washington remains “deeply concerned about instability, violence, and illicit drug cultivation and trafficking” in Colombia.
Locetta also criticized Petro’s strategy of pausing combat operations and reducing coca eradication while pursuing negotiations with armed groups. Such moves, she said, have emboldened the organizations and improved their negotiating position.
Locetta made these remarks as the U.N. Security Council reviewed Colombia’s implementation of its peace agreement with the former FARC guerrilla group.