Trump to Host Colombia’s Petro for High-Stakes Talks on Drug Trafficking

Relations between Trump and Petro Shift as Colombian President Heads to White House

Relations between President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have transformed dramatically over the past year, evolving from open hostility to cautious engagement ahead of their scheduled White House meeting on Tuesday.

The once-robust partnership between the United States and Colombia – long considered a model alliance in the Western Hemisphere – has been strained by fundamental disagreements over drug policy, security cooperation, and migration issues.

Speaking to reporters before the visit, Trump noted a recent change in tone from his Colombian counterpart. “He’s been very nice over the last month or two,” Trump said during a press availability. “They were certainly critical before that. But somehow after the Venezuelan raid, he became very nice. He changed his attitude. Very much so.”

Trump emphasized that narcotics trafficking would dominate their discussions. “We’re going to be talking about drugs because tremendous amounts of drugs come out of his country,” he stated. “And I look forward to seeing him. We’re going to have a good meeting.”

The bilateral relationship has deep historical roots. Colombia has been one of Washington’s closest South American allies for decades, with cooperation expanding significantly under Plan Colombia beginning in 2000. U.S. military and law enforcement assistance played a crucial role in Colombia’s fight against insurgent groups and drug trafficking networks, helping stabilize the country and eventually leading the United States to designate Colombia as a major Non-NATO ally.

However, security experts and U.S. officials note that this foundation has eroded significantly in recent years amid diverging priorities and growing mistrust between Washington and Bogotá.

The first major rift between the leaders emerged in January 2025, when Petro initially refused to allow U.S. deportation flights carrying Colombian nationals to land. The standoff prompted Trump to threaten tariffs, travel bans, and visa restrictions before Colombia ultimately reversed course and agreed to accept the flights.

Relations deteriorated further in September 2025 when Petro traveled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, participated in protests, and publicly urged U.S. soldiers to “disobey the orders of Trump.” These remarks prompted the U.S. State Department to revoke Petro’s visa on September 27. The following month, the Trump administration announced punitive measures targeting Petro and members of his inner circle, citing concerns about drug trafficking and security cooperation.

Colombian officials denounced these actions as politically motivated. Trump publicly labeled Petro a “drug leader,” suspended U.S. aid, and threatened additional punitive measures, pushing bilateral relations to what observers described as their lowest point in decades.

Signs of de-escalation emerged last month when the two leaders spoke by phone for the first time since the diplomatic breakdown. Trump later described the call as a “great honor,” saying he appreciated Petro’s tone and looked forward to meeting him in person. Both sides agreed to restart dialogue on contentious issues, and Colombia subsequently resumed accepting U.S. deportation flights, paving the way for Tuesday’s face-to-face meeting.

Melissa Ford Maldonado, director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative at the America First Policy Institute, emphasized the stakes for both nations. “Colombia remains the most important U.S. partner in South America, but that status is conditional, and lately it’s been under real strain, largely because of President Gustavo Petro’s tolerance for criminal networks that threaten both Colombian sovereignty and American security,” she told Fox News Digital.

Maldonado suggested that the Trump administration’s objectives likely focus on restoring what she described as “real cooperation” on counternarcotics and security after years of deterioration. She pointed to record cocaine production and what she characterized as growing tolerance within parts of the Colombian state for criminal networks.

“What to watch going forward is whether Colombia chooses to course-correct or continues drifting toward the model next door, which blurred the line between the state and organized crime,” Maldonado said. “Colombia earned its status as a major Non-NATO Ally through decades of sacrifice. That trust has been badly damaged, but it is not beyond repair if Colombia demonstrates genuine resolve against cartels, rejects political cover for criminal groups, and realigns clearly with the United States on hemispheric security.”

The meeting comes at a critical juncture for regional security, with Washington increasingly concerned about narcotics trafficking and migration flows from South America. For Colombia, the stakes include maintaining access to U.S. markets and security assistance at a time when the country faces internal challenges from resurgent criminal groups and economic pressures.

“This visit should make one thing unmistakable: the United States wants a strong, sovereign Colombia. It is in America’s best interest. However, it will not tolerate ambiguity when it comes to narco-terrorism, regional security, or the safety of the American people,” Maldonado concluded.