Colombian officials are optimistic that bilateral tensions with the United States will diminish and cooperation on narcotics control will improve following a one-hour telephone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro on January 7, senior Colombian diplomats said. The call marked a notable shift in relations between the two leaders, who have engaged in sharp public disagreements over policy issues, including drug trafficking and regional security.
The discussion between Trump and Petro came amid a period of heightened strain, underscored by the recent U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Colombian authorities hope that the exchange will serve as a turning point for both nations. “President Trump will now have different elements than those he may have had before the conversation, and hopefully all of this can help move the relationship between the two countries forward,” Colombia’s Ambassador to the United States, Daniel García-Peña, told Bloomberg.
García-Peña confirmed that a future face-to-face meeting is expected to take place at the White House, although no date has yet been set, signaling a tangible step toward restoring diplomatic engagement after months of contentious rhetoric. Last year, Trump publicly threatened potential military action against Colombia while accusing Petro of complicity in drug trafficking—allegations the Colombian president has rejected.
Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, played a role in facilitating the January phone call, highlighting bipartisan U.S. legislative interest in stabilizing relations with Bogotá. Following the exchange, both leaders agreed to reestablish direct communication channels and begin laying the groundwork for the upcoming summit.
