President Donald Trump said on Jan. 7 that he spoke on the phone with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, calling the conversation a “great honor” and announcing plans for an in-person meeting at the White House.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Petro initiated the call to discuss Colombia’s stance on drugs and address other areas of disagreement between the two countries.
“I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future,” Trump said. “Arrangements are being made between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Foreign Minister of Colombia. The meeting will take place in the White House in Washington, D.C.”
The United States and Colombia have sparred in recent months over narcotics production and trade. Last month, Trump said that Petro must work to stop cocaine production in Colombia, threatening action against facilities involved in production.
“They make cocaine in Colombia. And he’s no friend of the United States,” Trump said of Petro during a press conference last month.
Trump also said he is aware of at least three cocaine production facilities and warned his Colombian counterpart to shut them down.
“We know where they are. He’d better close them up fast,” Trump said.
Petro has stated that his country opposes any unilateral military actions that could escalate regional conflicts or endanger civilians. In response to Trump’s overtures of possible military operations in Colombia and Mexico targeting drug trafficking, Petro said on Jan. 5 that he would “take up arms” if U.S. forces were to attack.
The Clan del Golfo, potentially the most powerful Colombian criminal organization, has been identified as a possible target amid anti-drug efforts.
Tensions rose between the two countries in October, when the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Petro over his alleged role in the illicit drug trade. Petro spoke of “getting rid of” Trump in a public statement, prompting Trump to describe him as an “illegal drug leader” encouraging massive drug production.
“My government did not increase cocaine. It did the opposite,” Petro said on social media. “My government has seized more cocaine than in the whole history of the world.”
That same month, Colombia recalled its U.S. ambassador after Trump levied new tariffs and cut subsidies to the country, citing its failure to slow the flow of drugs. Trump has advocated aerial herbicide spraying on Colombian cocaine fields.
It is unclear when the planned White House meeting will take place.
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